The Philippines, Japan, and the United States have renewed their joint commitment to oppose any unilateral actions that seek to alter the status quo in the South China Sea through force or coercion.
The position was solidified during the Second Japan-US-Philippines Maritime Dialogue held in Manila, where delegates deliberated on regional developments, maritime security, and trilateral cooperation.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the nations held “frank exchanges of views on the recent situation in the South China Sea and reaffirmed their strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion.”
A central point of the discussions was the enduring relevance of the 2016 arbitral ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which legally dismantled China’s expansive “nine-dash line” claims.
“The three parties reaffirmed the significance of the Arbitral Tribunal’s award… on the occasion of its 10th anniversary,” Japan’s foreign ministry said.
While Beijing continues to reject the landmark decision, the trilateral partners emphasized its role as a cornerstone for regional stability.
The high-level talks were spearheaded by senior diplomats and defense officials from all three nations:
- The Philippines was represented by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Leo Herrera-Lim, alongside officials from the National Security Council, Department of National Defense, and the Philippine Coast Guard.
- Japan sent Hokugo Kyoko, Deputy Director-General of Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs, who was accompanied by defense and coast guard delegates.
- The United States delegation was led by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Michael George DeSombre, supported by State Department and U.S. Coast Guard representatives.
Following the sessions, Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya praised the progress made by the alliance on social media.
“Following the successful second Japan-Philippines-US Trilateral Maritime Dialogue, we will build on this momentum by reaffirming our shared commitment to a rules-based maritime order, while opposing unilateral actions that undermine regional stability.”
This meeting is part of a broader, evolving framework established during their inaugural 2024 dialogue.
The three countries continue to steadily expand cooperation in maritime domain awareness, coast guard training, capacity-building, and protecting freedom of navigation amid persistent regional tensions.