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US, Philippines, and Japan join forces in addressing South China Sea disputes.
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Trilateral summit aims to forge common ground on regional challenges.
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Collaboration underscores shared concern over China’s assertiveness in the area.
Eko hot blog reports that In an upcoming trilateral summit, leaders from the United States, Japan, and the Philippines will join forces to tackle the escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
This move comes amid growing concerns over China’s assertiveness in the region, particularly in maritime disputes.
The summit, slated for next week, will see U.S. President Joe Biden hosting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The agenda will not only encompass discussions on economic ties but also focus on strategies to address challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
Philippines’ acting foreign affairs undersecretary, Hans Mohaimin Siriban, emphasized that the summit is not targeted at any specific nation.
However, he underscored the shared apprehension among the three countries regarding China’s increasing assertiveness.
“We can expect an alignment of views among the three countries on the recent incidents,” Siriban stated.
He further revealed that a “joint vision statement” on diplomatic relations is anticipated to emerge from the summit.
Additionally, bilateral talks between Biden and Marcos are scheduled ahead of the trilateral meeting, highlighting the significance of individual engagements in the broader diplomatic context.
The South China Sea has been a hotbed of contention, primarily due to China’s expansive territorial claims, which overlap with those of neighboring countries.
Recent clashes, including a confrontation where China employed water cannons to disrupt a Philippine supply mission, underscore the urgency for collaborative efforts to address maritime disputes and uphold regional stability.