‘A clear signal to China’: US task force backs Philippine operations in South China Sea

The United States has quietly bolstered its involvement in the South China Sea conflict by deploying “Task Force Ayungin”, a special operations unit that analysts say signals Washington’s recognition of the Philippines’ sovereignty over contested maritime features claimed by Beijing.

Named after the Ayungin Shoal – a flashpoint in Manila’s maritime conflict with China – the task force’s existence was confirmed by US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin during his visit to the Phil