By Michael Hernandez
WASHINGTON (AA) - US President Joe Biden hosted Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos in New York City on Thursday for talks that addressed a wide range of topics, including contentious maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Speaking ahead of the meeting, Biden said the US-Philippines relationship "has very deep roots," and he is "desperately interested" in discussing areas of cooperation.
"We've had some rocky times, but the fact is it's a critical, critical relationship, from our perspective," the US president said in brief remarks delivered on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, referring to bilateral tensions under Marcos' predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.
"For decades, the alliance has strengthened both of us, I believe. And one of the things I want to talk about today is how we continue to strengthen that and work together on the things that are of greatest concern to you," he added.
Marcos is the son of the late Philippine dictator with the same name.
Speaking alongside Biden, he said, "the role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the regions and the Philippines especially."
"We continue to look to the United States for that continuing partnership and the maintenance of peace in our region," he said.
The Philippines is a key US ally in Asia and is enmeshed in territorial disputes with China, alongside several regional neighbors, concerning Beijing's maritime claims in the South China Sea. China claims the sea as its sovereign territory, ignoring a 2016 tribunal ruling that said its claims lack legal standing.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the White House said they "discussed the situation in the South China Sea and underscored their support for freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes."
In addition, Biden and Marcos discussed energy security, climate action and infrastructure, it said in a statement.
"The leaders also discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine and its implications for energy prices and food security, as well as ASEAN matters, the crisis in Burma, and the importance of respect for human rights," it added.