Notwithstanding the interpretations given about the US Defence Treaty with the Philippines that an attack was necessary, I stand vindicated that the Treaty is valid even as a 'threat in being'.

The US has already into the US Philippines naval exercises in the conflict area of the South China Sea.

Next month, the US is doing a similar exercise with the Vietnam Navy.

The US is reasserting that it is not a 'has been' as many in China and many Chinese sympathiser may feel.