The Philippines and Vietnam have signed two memorandums of understanding (MOUs) on maritime cooperation in the South China Sea during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Hanoi on Tuesday.
The agreements aim to prevent untoward incidents in the region and enhance cooperation between their coast guards. Observers view these pacts as a strengthening of bilateral ties amid ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer emphasized the importance of diplomatic coordination between the Philippines and Vietnam within and beyond the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), advocating for dispute management through the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
This move follows previous attempts by the Philippines to collaborate with neighboring countries on formulating a Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. In November last year, President Marcos mentioned discussions with Vietnam and Malaysia about creating a separate COC.
However, forming a separate initiative may face challenges. The existing Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) serves as the framework for regional cooperation, and efforts are underway between China and ASEAN countries to finalize an official COC.
Most regional countries prefer diplomatic solutions to territorial disputes without affecting their bilateral relations with other nations. The collaborative approach within the DOC framework is seen as a constructive path toward maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
Reference(s):
Failure of Manila's anti-China bloc in S. China Sea is determined
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