The US has pledged to support its allies involved in maritime disputes over both the South and East China seas – where China is locking horns with its neighbours – as the newly installed US administration is renewing alliances in Asia and Europe. Blinken’s predecessor Mike Pompeo said in July last year that the US rejected nearly all sovereign claims by China in the South China Sea, pushing tensions to boiling point. Dr.  Collin Koh, a Research Fellow with RSIS, said the pledge by Blinken to help the Philippines was “clear and unambiguous”, but there are uncertainties behind it.