“The United States strongly opposes the use of intimidation, coercion or aggression to advance territorial claims and I assured the foreign secretary that the United States remains firmly committed to the security of the Philippines and of the region,” he said.
Kerry stressed the need for negotiated resolutions to the disputes. “The United States will stand with our friends in this region who are asserting their (claims) through that kind of legal, peaceful process,” he said. “I hope that ultimately the leaders in China will see the wisdom of engaging.”
The Philippines lost control of a disputed reef in the South China Sea last year after a standoff with China.
The U.S. is also helping equip the Philippines with ships and radar, and is also in negotiations with Manila to increase the American military presence there.
However, officials have stressed they have no plans to reopen former U.S. military bases in the Philippines.
Kerry maintained that his announcements in the Philippines and Vietnam were not directly aimed at China but rather a normal part of the Obama administration decision to refocus on Asia.
“We do not support unilateral actions that have the impact of being provocative and raising the temperature of potential conflict,” Kerry said.
