MANILA: Japan and the Philippines vowed on Wednesday (Jan 15) to strengthen security cooperation to counter China's actions in key sea trade routes, amid speculation incoming United States President Donald Trump could scale back security commitments in Asia.
Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo hold a joint press conference in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines , on Jan 15, 2025.
Iwaya and Manalo discussed Beijing's efforts to assert control over the South China Sea, a strategic trade route, as well as Beijing's territorial and sovereign rights claims in the East China Sea that overlap with Japan's. This was a"legitimate concern for the international community because it directly links to regional peace and stability", he added.
Japan is a key financer of Philippine efforts to modernise its South China Sea patrol craft as well as maritime surveillance systems.They pledged to"maintain good communication with the next US administration, to maintain and strengthen the momentum for our trilateral cooperation", Iwaya added.
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