Marcos Jr. flies to the US, promising a closer partnership to «solve the problems of our time.»

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says Manila and Washington can forge a partnership that can «solve the problems of our time.» Photo: ROLEX DELA PENA/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The Philippine President is set to meet with Joe Biden after Washington warned China to stop its pursuit in the South China Sea.

Ferdinand Marcos Jr flew to USA on Sunday for a four-day official visit, during which he is due to meet with the US President. Before leaving, Mr. Marcos told reporters that he intends to strengthen the «very important alliance» between Manila and Washington and forge a partnership that can «solve the problems of our time.»

This will be the first visit. President of the Philippines to Washington for more than 10 years as the two countries seek to strengthen business and defense ties amid growing tensions in China.

Mr. Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the dictator who was ousted from power in a popular uprising in 1986 won a historic election victory in May 2022.

On Saturday, the US called on Beijing to stop harassing Philippine ships in the South China Sea after ships belonging to the two Asian countries nearly collided in a tense incident in the disputed Spratly archipelago.

A Philippine Coast Guard patrol officer is in the shadow of a Chinese Coast Guard ship on the Spratly Islands in the disputed South China Sea. Photo: TED ALJIBE/AFP

A Chinese Coast Guard vessel came across a Philippine Coast Guard boat carrying journalists while on patrol off Second Thomas Shoal. The commander of the Philippine boat said that the Chinese ship approached his boat at a distance of 45 meters, and only thanks to his quick actions, the steel-hulled ships did not collide with each other.

China claims sovereignty over almost all of South China by sea, including areas within the economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, an international tribunal dismissed China's claims as having no legal basis.

China's Foreign Ministry said on Friday that the near-collision was caused by the «invasion» of two Philippine vessels without permission, in what Beijing called a «deliberate and provocative action.»

Military reinforcements

During Mr. Marcos' visit to the US next week, he and Mr. Biden are expected to reach agreements on increased economic cooperation as well as «military reinforcements» amid shared concerns about China, a senior official said. Biden administration official. Reuters.

A senior US administration official said the Philippines' strategic importance cannot be underestimated, although the partnership is about more than security.

Since taking office last June, Mr. strongly defended the maritime rights of the Philippines in the face of China, unlike his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who did not want to criticize Beijing.

Earlier this year, Manila expanded US access to its military bases, which drew Beijing's ire.

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