Kishida said his country and the Philippines agreed not to use force or coercion in resolving their maritime conflicts with China.
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DAVAO CITY-The Japanese government’s continuing assistance to the Philippines will include a subway station connecting Metro Manila, Tutuban and Malolos, Bulacan, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.
The United States, which is monitoring developments in the South China Sea closely, said on Wednesday it was aware of reports that Vietnam had deployed missile systems on several of its outposts in the Spratlys.
Beijing reciprocated Tokyo’s humane gesture and thanked them for the rescue operation, despite ongoing tensions between the two countries over maritime rights on the East China Sea.
“Everyone must respect our maritime order and security in this area in the South China Sea and East China Sea and we urge them to respect the rule of law”, he said.
At a news conference after the meeting, Yasay said acts of intimidation are not permitted under global law.
Kishida said maritime order based on the rule of law was indispensable for regional stability and prosperity.
The Japanese minister, who was set to meet with Mr. Duterte later in the afternoon, was the first foreign minister to visit Davao City under the Duterte administration.
New satellite imagery released by Washington-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies earlier this week showed China had built new hangars on the Spratly/Nansha islands, indicating further militarisation of the region.
“We are also discussing the possibility of leasing aircraft designed for training”.
He said that Japan vowed to continue providing support for the improvement of the maritime security and capabilities of the Philippines.
The Philippines “cannot do it alone”, Del Rosario said.
With a severely under-equipped military, the Philippines has been seeking to strengthen ties with allies such as Japan, the United States and Australia, which have called on China to comply with the ruling.
Prof. Carmen Lagman of the De La Salle University’s College of Science claimants may also opt for joint, bilateral, or trilateral agreement for reefs that have been identified by scientists in four areas in the Spratlys as very important.
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“The Philippines should look for ways to cooperate with our neighbors to preserve marine ecosystems in the South China Sea and to ensure the sustainability of fishing resources for everyone”, he said in the same forum. “That is not reparation, we are not paying you reparations, that is economic aid”, Carpio said, quoting the Americans as effectively telling Nicaragua.
