Why did US defence official Colby avoid mention of Scarborough Shoal in Manila speech?

Some analysts attribute the restraint to a desire to avoid antagonising Beijing ahead of next month’s expected Xi-Trump summit

Instead, he sought to reassure regional allies that the United States was “definitely not disengaging from Asia”.

“We are not leaving; in fact, we are digging in, to ensure a favourable balance of power where it matters most,” Colby said during an event at a Manila think tank.

His omissions were particularly notable because two days earlier Washington had criticised Beijing for its actions over what it called a “destabilising” nature reserve at the reef and denying Filipino fishermen access to their traditional fishing grounds.