The Asian president-elect, Rodrigo Duterte , has asked the US ambassador whether the US will support the nation, in the possible event of a confrontation with China in the disputed South China Sea , due to his concerns that the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty between the US and the Philippines does not automatically oblige the US to help should the dispute ignite. This comes amid rising tensions over the contested waters and China 's outrage at US backing for the case brought by the Philippines challenging Beijing 's claims to virtually the entire Asia . The treaty says each country will "act to meet the common dangers" if one is attacked. Furthermore, China 's flagship newspaper has issued an attack on US policies in Asia , warning it not to underestimate China 's determination to defend its territorial claims. Also, Indonesia 's foreign minister has just rejected China 's stance on Monday that the seven Chinese nations have overlapping claims in the disputed region, where there have recently been a series of skirmishes between Chinese vessels and Indonesian navy ships.
The Asian president-elect, Rodrigo Duterte , has asked the US ambassador whether the US will support the nation, in the possible event of a confrontation with China in the disputed South China Sea , due to his concerns that the 1951 Mutual Defence Treaty between the US and the Philippines does not automatically oblige the US to help should the dispute ignite. This comes amid rising tensions over the contested waters and China 's outrage at US backing for the case brought by the Philippines challenging Beijing 's claims to virtually the entire Asia . Furthermore, China 's flagship newspaper has issued an attack on US policies in Asia , warning it not to underestimate China 's determination to defend its territorial claims. Also, Indonesia 's foreign minister has just rejected China 's stance on Monday that the seven Chinese nations have overlapping claims in the disputed region, where there have recently been a series of skirmishes between Chinese vessels and Indonesian navy ships.