Managing the growing competition between the United States and China is "critically important" not only for both countries but also for their allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines. That was what US State Department's Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink said following the visit of US State Secretary Antony Blinken to Beijing, where he met high-level officials, including President Xi Jinping, to reduce tensions between the two superpowers. There is a good reason why friendly relations between the US and China must be maintained. Manila, which is facing aggression from Beijing due to disagreement over the South China Sea, has the military backing of Washington. "We believe that it is critically important, including in the regional context, that the United States and China work hard to responsibly manage the growing competition between us," Kritenbrink said. "We have made clear that we will stand up to and we will counter a range of concerns that we have with Chinese activities, including in the South China Sea and including those directed at some of our key partners and allies, such as the Philippines," he added, citing the importance of shared security and prosperity of the region. Kritenbrink said the US is committed to the region, including its allies and partners, to achieve a rules-based international order. But he also gave assurance that the US would keep its channels of communication with Beijing open to manage competition and "a range of issues," and "most importantly, prevent the risk of miscalculation."