US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assures Philippines, a key Washington ally, of US support amid heightened tensions with China.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured the Philippines, a key Washington ally, of US support amid heightened tensions with China.

He reiterated America’s “ironclad” security commitments to the Philippines during a visit to Manila today.

Friction has grown between Manila and Beijing in recent months over competing claims in the South China Sea.

Mr. Blinken will also discuss trade with Filipino officials, a senior State Department official has said.

The visit is also likely to be seen as bolstering American support for Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr who has tilted towards Washington, unlike his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte, who pushed ties with Beijing.

The White House also announced that President Joe Biden will host a summit with Mr Marcos and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in April.