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Will Manila and Hanoi’s maritime deal challenge Beijing in the South China Sea?
🇨🇳 China /Conflict & Security

Will Manila and Hanoi’s maritime deal challenge Beijing in the South China Sea?

From South China Morning Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Philippines and Vietnam have elevated their strategic partnership, agreeing to improve coast guard coordination and establish a hotline.
  • This move aims to enhance maritime cooperation and prevent clashes in the disputed South China Sea.
  • The enhanced partnership comes ahead of the 10th anniversary of a ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the region.

As rival nations continue to vie for control in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Vietnam have signaled a united front by deepening their maritime cooperation.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese President To Lam announced an "enhanced" strategic partnership during Lam's state visit to Manila. Marcos emphasized the non-negotiable importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the vital waterway. He affirmed both nations' commitment to resolving disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law.

A key outcome of the visit was an agreement to implement a hotline and improve coordination between their coastguards. This measure is designed to prevent accidental clashes in the contested waters, a persistent concern in the region.

The timing of this enhanced partnership is significant, occurring just weeks before the 10th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration's ruling. The Hague-based tribunal had previously dismissed China's expansive claims to most features in the South China Sea, a decision Beijing rejected.

Maintaining peace, stability and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea remains non-negotiable.

— Ferdinand Marcos Jr.The Philippine President stated the country's firm stance on the South China Sea during Vietnamese President To Lam's visit.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by South China Morning Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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