MANILA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced plans for an upcoming trilateral summit with the United States and Japan, emphasizing the inclusion of agreements to uphold security and freedom of navigation in the contentious South China Sea.President Marcos departed for Washington to engage in talks with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, highlighting the significance of bolstering economic ties among the three allies.
“The main intent of this trilateral agreement is for us to be able to continue to flourish, to be able to help one another, and of course to keep the peace in the South China Sea and the freedom of navigation,” Marcos stated before his departure.
Marcos expressed intentions to enhance cooperation with Japan and the United States across various sectors, including infrastructure, semiconductors, cybersecurity, critical minerals, renewable energy, defense, and maritime affairs.
During discussions with President Biden, Marcos aims to strengthen military ties, a strategy pursued since his administration deepened military cooperation with both the United States and Japan amid escalating maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea.
Under Marcos’s leadership, efforts have been made to expand military access for American forces under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, while negotiations are underway with Japan for a similar agreement allowing the presence of Japanese forces in the Philippines.
Addressing reports of a supposed “gentleman’s agreement” with Beijing regarding the Second Thomas Shoal, Marcos vehemently denied its existence, expressing dismay at the idea of compromising Philippine sovereignty. The agreement allegedly involved refraining from bringing construction materials to repair a grounded warship, a move intended to bolster maritime claims.
China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea conflict with those of neighboring countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China’s claims, a decision Beijing has rejected.
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