Vietnam, Philippines Strengthen Defense Ties

September 13, 2024

Vietnam and the Philippines have agreed to work more closely on defence and maritime security. This agreement came during a visit by Vietnam’s Defence Minister, Phan Van Giang, to the Philippines. This cooperation aims to address rising tensions with China, particularly over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Key Agreements

The defence ministers of both nations signed “letters of intent” to improve their abilities in areas like maritime security and responding to natural disasters. They plan to sign a formal security agreement by the end of the year. This shows their commitment to solving disagreements peacefully and following international laws.

Significance of the Announcement

Experts believe that, for now, the agreement is mostly symbolic and won’t immediately change much in terms of military power. However, if other Southeast Asian countries in ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) join forces, this collaboration could grow stronger over time, especially in dealing with China’s maritime influence.

The South China Sea Dispute

China’s Claims: China says that almost the entire South China Sea belongs to them. This sea is important for global trade and has many natural resources.

Countries Disagreeing: Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan do not agree with China’s claim.

Court Decision: In 2016, an international court ruled that China’s claims were not valid, but China did not accept this ruling.

Rising Tensions Between the Philippines and China

In recent months, the Philippines and China have had several clashes, including incidents where their coast guard ships collided. Despite attempts to improve communication and manage these disputes, tensions remain high.

China has been trying to divide ASEAN nations, making it difficult for them to work together on issues like the South China Sea. Some experts think that smaller groups of countries with common interests, like Vietnam and the Philippines, might be able to cooperate more effectively than the entire ASEAN group.

Vietnam’s Careful Approach

Vietnam has a long history of territorial disputes with China but has tried to balance its actions carefully since 2011 to avoid escalating tensions. While Vietnam is currently in a better position than the Philippines in its dealings with China, it remains cautious about potential conflicts.

The agreements between Vietnam and the Philippines show that both countries recognize the need to work together in the face of external challenges, especially from China. While the immediate effects may not be dramatic, this cooperation could contribute to regional stability and security in the long run.

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