In a significant show of unity, US President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru have voiced strong objections to China’s maritime assertions and its aggressive and provocative actions in the South China Sea. This stance was made clear during their bilateral summit in Washington, D.C. on February 7, 2025, where they also criticized China’s militarization efforts in the region.
The leaders discussed the challenging security situation and committed to ongoing collaboration to foster a free and open Indo-Pacific region. According to a White House statement, both nations are determined to work together to address these issues.
The Philippines has also expressed concerns over China’s growing presence in the West Philippine Sea, part of the South China Sea, and the recent deployment of Chinese coast guard vessels near Zambales province.
Trump and Ishiba emphasized their commitment to enhancing cooperation with other nations that share their views, including through a trilateral arrangement with the Philippines. They highlighted that such cooperation would not only promote a free Indo-Pacific but also facilitate high-quality infrastructure investments in the region, such as the implementation of Open Radio Access Networks in other countries.
Previously, the US and Japan committed USD8 million to support Open Radio Access Network (RAN) field trials, aiming to bolster a secure and reliable communications technology environment. This month, Japan is set to officially sign diplomatic notes for a non-project grant aid to establish an Open RAN System at the University of the Philippines.