U.S. military presence needed in Asia, Philippines' foreign minister says

FILE PHOTO: U.S. military forces take up positions during the annual "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games with Filipino soldiers at the shore of San Antonio, Zambales in northern Philippines April 21, 2015. Philippine and U.S. soldiers began their biggest combined military exercise in 15 years on Monday, in a demonstration of Washington's commitment to its long-time ally as it rebalances to Asia in the face of China's expansion in the South China Sea. REUTERS/Erik De Castro/File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) - The United States military presence in Asia is needed as rivalry between Washington and Beijing intensifies, the Philippines' foreign minister said on Wednesday.

The two powers are arguing over issues from trade to what the United States sees as aggressive moves by China's armed forces, especially in the disputed South China Sea and around Chinese-claimed Taiwan.