US Vice President Harris Visits South China Sea: "We Will Stand Together If the Philippines Is Threatened"

On the 22nd (local time), Kamala Harris, the U.S. Vice President, arrived at the local airport to visit Palawan Island in the Philippines.

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited the South China Sea in the Philippines, which is in conflict with China, on the 22nd (local time) and expressed her support.

According to major foreign media, Vice President Harris visited Palawan Island in the western South China Sea on the day and met with residents and the coast guard. Boarding a coast guard vessel, Harris inspected the sea and said, "The rules of the international community must be upheld," adding, "The decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), which denied China's unilateral territorial claims over the South China Sea, must be respected."

The South China Sea is a region claimed by surrounding countries including China, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. China drew the nine-dash line in 2016, claiming 90% of the area as its territorial waters, but the PCA has stated there is no basis for this claim. Palawan Island is close to the Spratly Islands (Chinese name: Nansha), where China has asserted sovereignty and built military bases.

Vice President Harris emphasized, "The United States and the international community have a deep stake in this region," and stated, "If the Philippines is threatened, we will stand together as allies." She added, "This visit is to demonstrate the strong alliance between the United States and the Philippines." The day before, Harris met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos and promised, "If the Philippine military, vessels, or aircraft are attacked in the South China Sea, the United States will intervene under the Mutual Defense Treaty."

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris is the highest-ranking U.S. government official to visit the Philippines since President Marcos took office on June 30.