měi guó

美国

chēng zàn

称赞

fēi lǜ bīn

菲律宾

bǎo hù

保护

zì jǐ

自己

de

的

hǎi yáng

海洋

quán lì

权利

The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet praised the Philippines at a meeting in Manila for protecting its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.

He said that although China puts great pressure on the Philippines, the Philippines has not backed down but bravely defends its maritime territory.

Last year, ships from the Philippines and China collided in the South China Sea, and a Filipino sailor was injured.

Even with the danger, Filipino soldiers continue to guard the outposts at sea.

The Philippines is also working to strengthen its military and coast guard, and conducts joint maritime patrols and exercises with countries like the United States.

The United States and the Philippines are good defense partners and have cooperated for many years.

China claims most of the South China Sea as its own, but in 2016, an international arbitration ruled that China's claim was invalid.

The United States supports the Philippines in protecting its maritime rights.