Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 9) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to bolster security and maritime cooperation as the Philippines and Japan both push for stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
This was one of the highlights of the discussion of the two leaders during their bilateral meeting in Tokyo on Thursday.
\”The Prime Minister and I have agreed to cooperate even more closely in areas of economic cooperation, security and defense cooperation, maritime security and safety, healthcare mechanisms, environmental commitments, and people-to-people exchanges,\” Marcos said in a joint press conference with Kishida.
\”And after our meeting, I can confidently say that our strategic partnership is stronger than ever as we navigate, together, the rough waters buffeting our region,\” he added.
Kishida – who called Manila a \”strategic partner\” – also underscored the countries’ collaboration on security strategies.
In a joint statement released after the meeting, the governments of both countries said partnerships in this area include the transfer of more equipment and technology, such as air surveillance radar systems, as well as strategic reciprocal port calls and aircraft visits.
The two heads of state also expressed “serious concerns” about the situation in the East and South China Seas and “strongly opposed” actions, including force or coercion, that may increase tensions.
Kishida reiterated Japan’s support for the July 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea, which recognizes Manila’s sovereign rights in areas of its exclusive economic zone that Beijing contests.
The two nations stressed that the award, which China refuses to honor, is final and legally binding,
The leaders also called for the early conclusion of an effective Code of Conduct for the South China Sea \”that is consistent with UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and does not prejudice the rights of all stakeholders in the South China Sea,” the statement read.
Kishida added he and Marcos will look into ways to strengthen cooperation amongst Japan, the United States, and the Philippines.
\”We plan to have an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international situations including our collaboration towards realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific,\” the prime minister said.
During the meeting, Marcos also noted the development of a Subic Bay support base for the Philippine Coast Guard, which could serve as the home of Japan-made 97-meter-class patrol vessels.
This is seen to help improve maritime law enforcement, along with the installation of satellite communications system on the vessels, according to the joint statement.
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Marcos, who is in the East Asian country for a five-day working trip, said he has invited Kishida for a return visit to the Philippines “in the very near future.”
