Bongbong Marcos eyes PH-Vietnam maritime pact amid South China Sea problems

Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (File photo by WILLY KURNIAWAN / POOL / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday told the Vietnam ambassador that he is looking forward to forging an agreement between the Philippines and Vietnam to strengthen maritime cooperation in the South China Sea.

This comes after the Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) attacked Filipino vessels with a water cannon in the West Philippine Sea, which is the part of the South China Sea that belongs to the country’s exclusive economic zone.

“Now that we are going to start discussions on the agreement that we have between the Philippines and Vietnam, I think it is a very, very important – it will be a very, very important part of our relationship and it will bring an element of stability to the problems that we are seeing now in the South China Sea,” the President told outgoing Ambassador Hoang Huy Chung of Vietnam.

Vietnam, like the Philippines, have territorial claims over parts of the South China Sea. The Southeast Asian country also has its share of encounters with Chinese vessels within its territory.

Marcos acknowledged the Philippines’ and Vietnam’s shared territorial challenges, calling the possible agreement “a very big step.”

“I really believe that we have to make these bilateral agreements. I think you will not be surprised and I think I’m not giving away any confidence that we will like to have these bilateral agreements as well with the other countries within Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations),” Marcos said.

Chung, in turn, thanked the Philippine government for working together with Vietnam when it comes to common interests in the South China Sea.

“We have very respect for your thought that you are a friend to all, [enemy to none],” Chung told Marcos.

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