The Philippines has called for a commitment to dialogue in the “strategic rivalry” between the United States and China, as any escalation of tensions over Taiwan could lead to “adverse repercussions” for the entire Indo-Pacific region.
Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) forum in Washington on Monday, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo described the U.S.-China rivalry as “a defining feature of this regional ecosystem.”
“As responsible powers, each with a stake in the region’s long-term peace and security, Washington and Beijing need to manage their strategic rivalry with dialogue, transparent, and sincere engagement, where possible,” he said….