Rising Threat from China: Japan and Philippines Initiate Strategic Military Dialogue
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Synopsis
On February 24, Japan and the Philippines agreed to initiate a strategic dialogue between their defense forces, addressing the increasing security threats from China in the Indo-Pacific region. This collaboration aims to bolster defense cooperation and strengthen ties with allies, including the US and Australia, amidst rising tensions in regional waters.
Key Takeaways
- Japan and the Philippines to establish military dialogue.
- Focus on rising security threats from China.
- Enhancement of defense equipment and technology cooperation.
- Strengthening alliances with the US and Australia.
- Commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Manila, Feb 24 (NationPress) On Monday, Japan and the Philippines reached a consensus to initiate a strategic dialogue between their military forces, considering the escalating security challenges posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Japanese Defence Minister General Nakatani and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro convened on Monday and agreed to establish a high-level framework to enhance collaboration in defence equipment and technology. He remarked, With the increasingly severe security environment, we firmly agreed on the need to elevate defence cooperation to a higher level.
Both nations also consented to strengthen their alliances with partners, including the United States and Australia, in light of the rising Chinese military activities and territorial claims in regional waters.
Relations between Japan and China have soured over territorial disputes, notably concerning the Senkaku Islands, in recent years. Conversely, Chinese military operations in the South China Sea have surged, exacerbating tensions in Sino-Philippines relations. The Philippines faces significant disputes with China primarily over the Scarborough Shoal and Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
Recently, the Philippines Coast Guard denounced daring maneuvers by a Chinese Navy helicopter that approached within three metres (10 feet) of a surveillance flight transporting journalists over the disputed Scarborough Shoal.
In December, during the Japan-US-Philippines Maritime Dialogue in Tokyo, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to fortifying cooperation among the three nations as natural allies and maritime nations connected by the Pacific Ocean. They discussed recent developments in the South China Sea and reiterated their opposition to any unilateral efforts to alter the status quo through force. The view to further enhance maritime cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific grounded in the rule of law was shared, according to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
