Philippines, Vietnam upgrade ties, say South China Sea peace ‘non-negotiable’
MANILA, June 1 (Reuters) – The Philippines and Vietnam have elevated their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership and affirmed that the shared commitment to peace and stability in the South China Sea is “non-negotiable,” President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Monday during a state visit by Vietnam’s top leader To Lam to Manila.
Marcos said there is no doubt about the Philippines and Vietnam’s ability to maintain peace, stability and rules-based order in their regions, adding that the partnership has become more important as the region navigates an evolving and uncertain global environment.
• Marcos said deeper ties “will be defined by broader avenues for cooperation, stronger political and defense cooperation, and closer ties between Filipinos and Vietnamese.”
• Vietnam is the only strategic partner of the Philippines in the ASEAN region, which developed its relations with a show of unity against China 10 years ago.
• Marcos said Manila and Hanoi reaffirmed that preserving peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea is “non-negotiable.”
• He added that both countries “remain firm in their commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes” based on international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS treaty and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.
• To Lam said the Philippines is “an important regional partner of Vietnam,” citing similar vision and strategic interests and strong commitments to peace and stability. “We always want to take the strategic partnership with the Philippines to a new level.”
• To Lam said he and Marcos agreed to have closer coordination to “effectively respond” to regional and global challenges.
• The Philippines and Vietnam signed agreements in the fields of defense cooperation, information and technology, tourism and education.
• Speaking after his meeting with Marcos, To Lam said that Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to improve security and defense cooperation.
• He also said that they will try to strengthen economic ties and work together to ensure food security.
• Vietnam is the largest rice supplier to the Philippines.
• Philippine and Vietnamese coast guards held their first joint exercises in 2024, despite overlapping claims regarding some characteristics of the South China Sea.
(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Nestor Corrales; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu in Hanoi; Editing by John Mair and Thomas Derpinghaus)
