Philippines says China remains a 'severe threat' despite easing U.S.-China tensions

The Philippines remains under a "severe threat" from China despite recent efforts by Washington and Beijing to ease tensions, Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Saturday (30 May).

Speaking to on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Teodoro said the recent summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping had not changed Manila's assessment of the challenges posed by Beijing.

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While it was natural for major powers such as the United States and China to seek ways to manage tensions, Teodoro said countries facing direct territorial disputes with China must continue to focus on their own security and resilience.

The Philippines and China have been involved in repeated confrontations in the South China Sea, where Beijing claims vast areas of waters that overlap with the exclusive economic zones of several regional states, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

An international arbitration tribunal in 2016 rejected the legal basis of China's expansive claims, but Beijing has continued to assert its position and has dismissed the ruling.

Alliances remain central

Teodoro said there was no indication that Washington's commitments under the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty had been weakened by either the Trump-Xi summit or the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

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He said the alliance with the United States was reinforced by growing defence cooperation with countries including Japan, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

According to Teodoro, the Philippines is pursuing a strategy focused on strengthening deterrence, improving defence infrastructure and building resilience against external pressure.

Manila has accelerated military modernisation efforts in recent years, expanded access agreements with allies and increased joint military exercises amid tensions in the South China Sea.

Skepticism toward Chinese outreach

Teodoro dismissed reports that China had offered assistance to the Philippines, including fertiliser and fuel supplies during shortages linked to disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

He said such gestures did not alter Manila's assessment of Beijing's actions in the region and argued that any long-term demonstration of goodwill remained absent.

The defence secretary added that the Philippines would continue to prioritise national security and strategic partnerships while maintaining its current approach toward China.

Teodoro also rejected speculation that he could seek the presidency in 2028 when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s term ends, saying he remained focused on his current responsibilities in government.

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News Politics phillippines China United States Xi Jinping Donald Trump Gilberto Teodoro