U.S. stands with SE Asian countries against China pressure, Blinken says

Stitcher "Secretary Blinken stressed the importance of the Mutual Defense Treaty for the security of both nations, and its clear application to armed attacks against the Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, which includes the South China Sea," it said. Blinken's assurances came after Locsin said on Wednesday the Philippines had filed a diplomatic protest over China's passing of a law allowing its coastguard to open fire on foreign vessels, describing it as a "threat of war". China passed the legislation on Friday allowing its coastguard to use "all necessary means" to stop or prevent threats…