The Philippines and Vietnam are all set to kick off their first-ever joint Coast Guard exercise on August 9 in Manila Bay. The exercise comes in the wake of two agreements signed between both Southeast Asian nations when the Philippine President visited Hanoi in January this year. Both countries agreed to boost cooperation among their coast guards, who have had a long history of facing incursions in the South China Sea (SCS) by Beijing.
Both nations, in what is considered a region with conflicting claims on surrounding waterways, have put aside their own disputes (having conflicting claims in the West Philippines Sea among themselves) to come together and band under the same banner against the rising Chinese influence in the South China Sea.
Manila received the Vietnamese coast guard ship (CSB 8002) on Monday to hold training exercises with the Philippine patrol vessel (BRP Gabriela Silang) which includes fire and explosion prevention exercises along with search and rescue simulations.
The Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson told the press that despite the rivalry between the Philippines and Vietnam, the two can work together and instill a hope to start a template that can provide a gradual move towards peace in the region and de-escalate the tensions. This template can then be used even with China as a mechanism to promote conflict resolution in the region.
Earlier, the Philippines had made claims to an undersea continental shelf in the South China Sea, an area that overlaps with territorial claims made by Vietnam. In an effort to solidify its position, the Philippine government approached the United Nations, seeking formal recognition of its claims. Despite these overlapping interests, both the Philippines and Vietnam have committed to resolving their territorial disputes through diplomatic means, adhering strictly to international law.
The legal framework governing these claims is based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This convention provides the guidelines for defining the territorial waters of a state. Under UNCLOS, a coastal state can claim an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) that extends up to 200 nautical miles from its baseline, and a continental shelf that can extend up to 350 nautical miles, depending on geological and geomorphological factors.
The positions held by the Philippines and Vietnam are in direct opposition to China’s extensive claims over the South China Sea. China bases its claims on historical grounds, asserting control over virtually the entire sea. However, both the Philippines and Vietnam reject these historical claims, instead advocating for a resolution based on the legal principles established by UNCLOS. This adherence to international law underscores their commitment to a peaceful and rule-based resolution of the territorial disputes in the region.
The emerging Chinese threat has further united the Philippines and Vietnam, prompting them to pursue greater marine cooperation. In January, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation between their coast guards to prevent untoward incidents in the South China Sea. This agreement aims to bolster maritime security and ensure the safety of their respective territorial waters, demonstrating their shared resolve to counterbalance China’s assertive actions in the region.
The Philippines has adopted a more proactive stance in addressing the growing security challenges posed by China in the South China Sea. This shift is underscored by significant developments in its defense strategy and international alliances. Two days ago, the Philippines made a notable pledge to broaden its defense agreement with Germany. This move is part of a strategic effort to diversify its security partnerships and enhance its defense capabilities through collaboration with European powers. In addition, Recently, the US announced a commitment of USD 500 million to modernize the Philippine armed forces. This funding is part of a larger effort by the US to support its allies in the Indo-Pacific region and counterbalance China’s expanding influence. The modernization program will likely include the acquisition of advanced military equipment, upgrading existing defense systems, and enhancing the overall operational readiness of the Philippine military.
