US tells Philippines: We are still your ally

A senior US diplomat said on Monday that Washington supported Manila's blossoming ties with Beijing, but he assured the Southeast Asian nation that Washington remained its trusted ally.

Daniel Russel, US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said after meeting with Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay in Manila that Washington welcomes improved relations between the Philippines and China, although it should not come at the expense of the United States.

"We don't want countries to have to choose between the US and China," he said.