Locsin, Pompeo hold talks on South China Sea issue

August 7, 2020

Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo held talks on the South China issue as both countries reaffirm their "strong" alliance amid China's increased military presence in the disputed waters.

Pompeo, in a readout of his call to Locsin on Thursday (Friday  in Manila), discussed "the recent change in US policy on maritime claims in the South China Sea and US support for Southeast Asian coastal states upholding their sovereign rights and interests consistent with international law."

He also talked about "opportunities for further US-Philippine maritime cooperation" as President Rodrigo Duterte barred the country's participation in any maritime drills in the South China Sea.

Locsin and Pompeo, the statement said, "also discussed the strong economic, security, and people-to-people ties that bind our two countries."

The US last month supported Southeast Asian nations which have territorial disputes with China, saying it will not allow Beijing  to rule  control the South China Sea.

Australia also rejected Beijing's claims over the waters and backing the 2016 award of the Arbitral Tribunal in The Hague  that heard the case brought by the Philippines against China. DMS