Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he denounces all illegal and coercive actions in the South China Sea and that it is "never a choice" between China and the U.S. in the disputed maritime region.
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00:00 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines has denounced any illegal and aggressive actions
00:06 in the South China Sea.
00:07 Here's what he had to say.
00:09 We reject any attempt to deny strategic agencies, especially by force, that seek to subordinate
00:15 our interests to anyone else's.
00:19 China's determining influence over the security situation and the economic evolution of this
00:23 region is a permanent fact.
00:27 At the same time, the stabilizing presence of the United States is crucial to regional
00:32 peace.
00:33 It's never a choice.
00:35 Both countries are important.
00:38 Marcos was speaking at the opening of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
00:42 He says the Philippines will work to maintain stability in the South China Sea.
00:46 Beijing and Minnella have clashed in that region in recent months, with Chinese Coast
00:50 Guard ships blasting water cannons at Philippine vessels in disputed waters.
00:54 [BLANK_AUDIO]