Playing its appointed part in US' strategy will not bring Manila its desired rewards: China Daily editorial chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2025-07-22 20:59

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202507/22/WS687f8b38a310ad07b5d91526.html When asked at his Senate confirmation hearing half a year ago if he could name one member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, describe what type of agreement the United States had with the ASEAN countries, and how many nations were in the bloc, the then defense secretary to-be Pete Hegseth replied that he knew the US has "allies in South Korea and Japan, and in AUKUS with Australia".