The Philippines and Vietnam are looking to enhance their strategic partnership as both countries agreed to explore potential maritime cooperation activities particularly in the South China Sea, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Wednesday, May 17.
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard) The PCG said that delegates from both countries met during the 10th meeting of the Philippines-Vietnam Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns (JPWG-MOC) in Ha Long, Vietnam from May 15 to 16. “The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination on maritime issues in regional and multilateral bodies, especially in working towards the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” the PCG said. The code of conduct refers to a framework being crafted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China since the early 2000s to ensure peace and order in the South China Sea, where many countries have overlapping territorial claims. Such territorial disputes often create conflict among the claimant countries which include China, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
According to the PCG, the Philippines and Vietnam “had the opportunity to exchange views on the situation in the West Philippine Sea” during the high-level meeting.
“The two countries expressed serious concern over unilateral activities that undermine peace and stability in the region,” it said.
“They committed to working together to protect their rights and legitimate interests under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and enhance confidence-building measures between relevant agencies,” it added.
In cooperation with the Philippine Navy and other relevant agencies, the PCG has been at the forefront of the country’s efforts to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea despite several challenges from the Chinese government.
The latest of such challenges occurred when a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship tailed five PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels while the latter were installing [navigational buoys](https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/15/pcg-to-install-6-more-floating-markers-in-wps) in five critical areas in the WPS.
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard) The PCG said that delegates from both countries met during the 10th meeting of the Philippines-Vietnam Joint Permanent Working Group on Maritime and Ocean Concerns (JPWG-MOC) in Ha Long, Vietnam from May 15 to 16. “The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination on maritime issues in regional and multilateral bodies, especially in working towards the conclusion of an effective and substantive Code of Conduct on the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea),” the PCG said. The code of conduct refers to a framework being crafted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China since the early 2000s to ensure peace and order in the South China Sea, where many countries have overlapping territorial claims. Such territorial disputes often create conflict among the claimant countries which include China, Philippines, Vietnam, Brunei, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
(Courtesy of Philippine Coast Guard)
According to the PCG, the Philippines and Vietnam “had the opportunity to exchange views on the situation in the West Philippine Sea” during the high-level meeting.
“The two countries expressed serious concern over unilateral activities that undermine peace and stability in the region,” it said.
“They committed to working together to protect their rights and legitimate interests under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and enhance confidence-building measures between relevant agencies,” it added.
In cooperation with the Philippine Navy and other relevant agencies, the PCG has been at the forefront of the country’s efforts to assert its claims in the West Philippine Sea despite several challenges from the Chinese government.
The latest of such challenges occurred when a China Coast Guard (CCG) ship tailed five PCG and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessels while the latter were installing [navigational buoys](https://mb.com.ph/2023/5/15/pcg-to-install-6-more-floating-markers-in-wps) in five critical areas in the WPS.