JAKARTA -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday renewed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to defend the Philippines after China escalated tensions in the South China Sea by firing a water cannon at a Philippine resupply vessel.
Washington pledges backing in South China Sea ahead of Biden-Xi meeting
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U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, left, met with Philippine Minister of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro in Jakarta on Nov. 15. (Photo by Ryo Nakamura)
JAKARTA -- U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday renewed Washington's "ironclad" commitment to defend the Philippines after China escalated tensions in the South China Sea by firing a water cannon at a Philippine resupply vessel.