US VP Kamala Harris To Visit Island Close To Disputed Territory

US Vice President Kamala Harris will tomorrow visit Palawan - a Philippine Island adjacent to the Spratly Islands - a territory at the center of a dispute between the Philippines, China, Brunei, Vietnam and Malaysia.

• NPR: "China has bulked up man-made islands in the South China Sea, adding airstrips and military installations to the Spratlys. Its maritime claims to the South China Sea have been rejected by an international tribunal. The United States views the Chinese claims as illegitimate and last year conducted naval exercises in the waters."
• The Washington Post writes: "Harris, signaling U.S. support for the Philippines in the dispute, is undertaking the delicate diplomatic mission at a time when U.S. tensions are rising over trade, Taiwan, human rights and other matters."
• Harris said in a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr today: “We stand with you in defense of international rules and norms as it relates to the South China Sea.”
• The trip comes after Harris and US President Joe Biden both expressed optimism that China and the US can manage competition without risking confrontation after meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.