(VOVworld) – US Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in the Philippines capital of Manila on Tuesday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (Photo: AFP)

Kerry met with President Benigno Aquino III to foster bilateral cooperation especially in economics and security. The discussion also covered issues of humanitarian aid and coordination in dealing with natural disasters.

Earlier, following talks with the Philippines’ Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario, Kerry said the US is committed to cooperating with the Philippines to address its most pressing security challenges. He also announced that Washington will provide 40 million USD to help the Philippines’ security force protect its territorial waters.

The same day, John Kerry warned China against declaring an air defence zone in the East Sea similar to the Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) it declared in the East China Sea in November. At a press conference in Manila, Kerry said the ADIZ should not be recognized and that China should refrain from taking similar unilateral actions in other areas in the region.