Experts voice concern over talks by trio

US, Japan, Philippines accused of stoking tensions in Asia-Pacific region

Leaders from the US, Japan and the Philippines on Monday vowed cooperation in the "Indo-Pacific "region, which experts say further heightens the possibilities of bloc confrontation as US President Joe Biden's term ends soon.

They also raised concerns that the South China Sea is again being used as a tool to stoke regional tensions, raising uncertainty in the Asia-Pacific region.

Leaders of the United States, the Philippines and Japan held a virtual meeting on Monday, Asian time, and vowed to deepen the trilateral ties. According to a readout from the White House, the three leaders vowed to "advance our continuing cooperation in the 'Indo-Pacific'".