(Reuters) – New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea” with his Philippine counterpart on Wednesday and stressed the “ironclad” US defense commitment to in Manila.

“Secretary Rubio stated that (China’s) behavior undermines peace and stability in the region and is inconsistent with international law,” the US State Department said in a statement on its call with Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo.

The Philippines has been involved in naval battles with China for the past two years and the two countries have often faced disputes over parts of the South China Sea that are within Manila’s exclusive economic zone.

Rubio’s call follows his hosting of counterparts from Australia, India and Japan at the China-focused “Quad” forum on Tuesday, the day after President Donald Trump returned to the White House. The four recommitted to working together.

Quad members and the Philippines share concerns about China’s growing power and analysts say Tuesday’s meeting is designed to signal continuity in the Indo-Pacific and that Beijing’s pushback could be a top priority for Trump.

In Manalo’s call, Rubio “emphasized the strong commitments of the United States to the Philippines” under their Mutual Defense Treaty and discussed ways to improve security cooperation, expand economic ties and deepen regional cooperation, the statement said.

Before Trump’s swearing in, the Philippines and the United States conducted their fifth set of joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea since the launch of joint activities in 2023.

Security ties between the allies soared under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who moved closer to Washington and allowed the expansion of military bases accessible to American forces, including facilities that -facing the Chinese-claimed but democratically administered island of Taiwan.

In a visit to the Philippines last week, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said that the trilateral initiative to promote cooperation launched by Japan, the US and the Philippines at a summit last year will be strengthened when the new administration of US will replace Washington.