The Philippines and Vietnam are scheduled to hold their first joint coast guard exercises in August. This initiative aims to address their overlapping territorial claims in the South China Sea and counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
A 2,400-ton vessel from the Vietnam Coast Guard is set to visit Manila from August 5 to 9 for a goodwill visit, according to a diplomatic source who requested anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak to the press. During this visit, both nations will finalize plans for joint exercises focusing on search and rescue operations, as well as fire and explosion prevention.
These exercises stem from two memoranda of understanding signed during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Vietnam in January. These agreements highlight “incident prevention in the South China Sea” and “maritime cooperation among coast guards.”
Defense officials from both countries will convene in Manila this week to discuss closer defense cooperation, signaling a strengthening of bilateral ties amidst shared concerns over China’s territorial ambitions. Both the Philippines and Vietnam, along with Brunei, Malaysia, and Taiwan, dispute China’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently announced its readiness to engage in talks with Vietnam to resolve overlapping claims, following Vietnam’s submission to the United Nations for an extended continental shelf on July 17.
“We acknowledge Vietnam’s right as a coastal state like the Philippines to submit information to establish the outer limits of their continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” stated the DFA. “We are prepared to collaborate with Vietnam on finding mutually beneficial solutions to South China Sea issues.”
This diplomatic engagement follows the Philippines’ own submission for an extended continental shelf in the West Palawan region, a claim that may overlap with those of Vietnam and Malaysia. China’s opposition to the Philippines’ claim was promptly submitted to the UN’s Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.
In a show of continued maritime cooperation, the Philippine Navy participated in a series of engagements hosted by the Vietnam People’s Navy at Southwest Cay (Pugad) Island on July 10. These activities are part of a regular exchange aimed at fostering strong relations and addressing mutual maritime concerns.
Regional cooperation was further demonstrated in September 2023, when ASEAN member states conducted their first joint military drills in Indonesia’s South Natuna Sea, focusing on maritime security and disaster relief.
Additionally, the Philippine Navy and Royal Malaysian Navy conducted joint maritime exercises in Davao City, enhancing their interoperability through combined training operations.
Discussion about this post