U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, have sent a letter to President Biden urging immediate response options to China’s escalating actions against Philippine forces in the South China Sea.
The senators requested that the president provide a comprehensive list of military, diplomatic, and economic measures from the Department of Defense and Department of State to deter further Chinese aggression.
“We must respond with visible and concrete demonstrations of our support,” the senators wrote. “Anything short of this risks our appearing unwilling to honor our bilateral commitments.”
They emphasized that verbal assurances alone regarding Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty are insufficient. “Limiting our response to verbal assurances of the applicability of Article IV undermines the credibility and value of these commitments. We must respond with visible and concrete demonstrations of our support,” they continued.
This letter follows a similar appeal from Risch and Wicker in October 2023, where they advocated for supporting the Sierra Madre mission in the South China Sea.
The full text of their recent letter highlights their concerns over China’s increased use of force against the Philippines. On June 19, during an attempt by the Philippines to resupply BRP Sierra Madre near Second Thomas Shoal, confrontations occurred where the PRC’s Coast Guard reportedly used pickaxes and knives on Philippine vessels, confiscated equipment, and deployed tear gas.
The senators reiterated their stance: “We request your administration provide us with a full list of military, diplomatic, and economic options developed by the Departments of State and Defense to support the Philippines and deter further escalation by the PRC.”
They concluded by stressing that “the United States must deliver ironclad support to the Philippines in defense of their sovereignty” and awaited a response from President Biden on their request.
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