MANILA – In a significant move, the Philippines, the United States, and Japan convened their first trilateral maritime dialogue in Japan, expressing deep concerns over China’s persistent obstruction and intimidation of Philippine ships in the West Philippine Sea.
The meeting, which took place on Tuesday, was led by key figures from each nation: Ma. Theresa Lazaro, Assistant Secretary of Foreign Affairs from the Philippines; Mira Rapp-Hooper, Senior Director at the US National Security Council and Special Assistant to the President; and Ryo Nakamura, Assistant Foreign Minister from Japan.
According to a statement from the US State Department, the trio voiced worries about China’s ‘perilous and illegal actions in the South China Sea,’ which they believe jeopardize the navigational and overflight rights of all countries.
The three countries reiterated their dedication to upholding international law, specifically referencing the 1982 Law of the Sea Convention.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) described the dialogue as a pivotal moment, highlighting the growing collaboration among the Philippines, Japan, and the US on maritime issues.
The discussions underscored the nations’ ongoing commitment to maintaining a free, open, and safe Indo-Pacific region through adherence to international norms.
During the talks, the participants engaged in candid and vigorous exchanges on regional maritime strategies, the formalization of trilateral cooperation, and future policy directions.
Proposals for maritime cooperation with other nations were also discussed, including joint exercises, maritime law enforcement, and enhancing coast guard capabilities.
The DFA emphasized that the trilateral maritime dialogue would establish a robust framework for coordinating and collaborating to tackle the challenges and intricacies of the regional maritime environment.
This inaugural dialogue stemmed from the first-ever Philippines-Japan-US Trilateral Summit held in April of this year.
At the end of the meeting, Lazaro declared the Philippines’ readiness to host the next Trilateral Maritime Dialogue in 2025.