US defence chief says stronger deterrence needed against China in disputed sea

Philippine secretary of defence Gilberto Teodoro welcomes Pete Hegseth upon his arrival at the Armed Forces Headquarters (AP/Gerard V Carreon)

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth said the Trump administration would boost military ties with the Philippines to strengthen deterrence against “threats from the communist Chinese” and ensure freedom of navigation in the disputed South China Sea.

Mr Hegseth spoke on Friday during a meeting with president Ferdinand Marcos Jr in the Philippines, his first stop in his first trip to Asia, to reaffirm Washington’s “ironclad” commitment to the region under Mr Trump.