Will growing Philippines-Vietnam naval ties reshape South China Sea diplomacy?
The two sides deepen maritime partnership as Manila seeks to finalise a code of conduct in the waterway when it helms Asean next year
Philippine Navy chief Vice-Admiral Jose Maria Ambrosio Ezpeleta and his Vietnamese counterpart Tran Thanh Nghiem met last week in Manila, where they reaffirmed their commitment to conducting joint activities, humanitarian coordination and regional maritime security.
Ezpeleta said Philippine and Vietnamese naval forces “already have a very good relationship” and “we help each other in many ways, particularly now that we share the same issues and concerns”.
“Hopefully, we can find ways to ease the pressures in our waters while further strengthening this partnership,” said Ezpeleta, who also thanked Hanoi’s continued help with rescuing distressed Filipino fisherfolk at sea.
Nghiem’s trip to Manila comes months after the Philippine army top brass visited Vietnam and held talks with the country’s military leaders.