The U.s expresses support for the Philippines in its stance against China

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the United States supports the Philippines amid ongoing tensions with China in the South China Sea. This statement was made in light of China's plan to create a nature reserve at Scarborough Reef, an area within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone that has been under Chinese control since 2012.

It is anticipated that China will assess the extent to which the U.S. is prepared to defend its regional allies in the future.