Philippines, Japan Meeting as China Tension Escalates

 

Filipino President Benigno Aquino iii was greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito in Tokyo on Wednesday at the start of a four-day state visit to Japan.

President Aquino’s visit aims to build on the Philippines-Japan Strategic Partnership and exchange views on recent regional developments.

In a speech to Japan’s Parliament, President Aquino iii criticized China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea. He said, “The prosperity of the maritime and coastal East and Southeast Asia, which relies on the free movement of goods and peoples, is at risk of being disrupted by attempts to redraw the geographic limits and entitlements outside those clearly bestowed by the law of nations.”

The two countries are expected to reach a deal in which Japan will provide the Philippines with 10 patrol vessels to help monitor its islands in the South China Sea.