Philippines and Japan flags. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS
MANILA, Philippines — Amid China’s continued aggression in the West Philippine Sea, Japan said it would embrace all opportunities to build up its partnership with the Philippines and other allied nations.
In a statement issued Monday, Japan affirmed its commitment to “strengthen” regional and international cooperation in support of a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
“Japan will seize every opportunity to strengthen its partnership with the Philippines, United States, and Australia in ensuring regional peace and stability. The Japan Maritime Self Defense Force will also continue to operate and exercise freedom of navigation in realizing a Free and Open Indo-Pacific,” it said.
The Philippines, Japan, Australia, and the United States held maritime cooperative activity in the West Philippine Sea on April 7.
READ: 4-nation naval drills set today: For ‘a free, open Indo-Pacific’
The allied countries insisted that the activity was conducted in a manner “consistent with international law as well as domestic laws and rules of respective nations.”
Apart from the joint maritime patrols, the chief executives of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States are set to convene in a trilateral summit on April 11.
The Department of Foreign Affairs, however, stressed that the upcoming summit is not aimed at China, explaining that it simply seeks to deepen ties on the economic cooperation, maritime security and climate change of the three allies.