On Monday, Philippine President Marcos expressed hope that talks on maritime cooperation between his country and Vietnam would be one of the cornerstones forged in a strategic partnership with its Southeast Asian neighbor.
Marcos is expected to meet with Vietnam's top officials to discuss arrangements on rice supply and coastguard cooperation. The Philippines is one of the largest grain importers in the world, and Vietnam is a major rice exporter.
Marcos Pushes Maritime Cooperation With Vietnam
Marcos is set off to Vietnam for a three-day State visit on Monday. He said in his pre-departure statement that his trip to Vietnam was vital as it has been the only strategic partner of the Philippines in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) since 2015.
"We hope to strengthen this aspect during my visit to promote peace and stability in our region," Marcos said before leaving for Hanoi for a two-day State visit.
He hopes his visit will strengthen their relationship and "usher in a new era of friendship and cooperation," discussing trade, business, education, tourism, and regional and multilateral issues of concern.
Marcos is optimistic that his visit to Vietnam will improve the 47-year relationship between the two countries.
Vietnam and the Philippines have generally friendly relations despite having overlapping claims in the South China Sea compared to the heightened tensions over disputed waters between Manila and Beijing.
The past year has seen a decline in relations between the Philippines and China, coinciding with a stricter stand by Manila and overtures by Marcos to establish stronger military ties with the United States.
China Grants Philippines To Supply Troops at Disputed Reef
The Chinese coastguard claimed that "temporary special arrangements" have been established to allow the Philippines to supply troops stationed at a disputed reef with a grounded World War II-era warship.
According to AAP, the Chinese coastguard has previously sent out vessels to thwart operations by the Philippines to supply troops on the transport ship, which has turned into a military outpost at Second Thomas Shoal, 190 km off the Philippine island of Palawan.
On Saturday, a message was posted on the coastguard's official WeChat account saying it had allowed necessary supplies and would defend China's sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests at the Second Thomas Shoal and its adjacent waters.
"On January 21, a small aircraft from the Philippines airdropped supplies to the illegally beached warship," the WeChat statement said.
It added that the Chinese coastguard has followed up and monitored the situation in real-time, controlling and dealing with it in accordance with laws and regulations.
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, indicating a line on its maps that crosses into the exclusive economic zones of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
It has repeatedly urged the Philippines to pull the ship away based on a promise it said officials in Manila had made. However, Marcos has denied these claims.
A WeChat message from Saturday claimed that the "relevant parties" in the Philippines had deliberately distorted the facts and deceived international opinion, which would not help to reduce tensions in the South China Sea.
