Biden to host April 11 meet
BY JOCELYN MONTEMAYOR and ASHZEL HACHERO
THE United States, Japan and the Philippines are set to hold their first summit next month in Washington.
Malacañang yesterday said President Marcos will attend the April 11 trilateral summit to be hosted by US President Joe Biden “to advance an agenda with both countries with whom the Philippines shares important strategic defense, security, and economic interests.”
Visiting US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the special summit could result in a “new horizon of cooperation” among the three countries.
“But it is also building on the very strong foundation of our countries where we have the same priorities, whether it’s economic development, whether it’s dealing with climate change, with food security, of course upholding international law, all these things are front and center,” Blinken said during a courtesy call on President Marcos in Malacañang.
Blinken also said the relations between the Philippines and the US remain “rock solid” and considered as a “priority of President Biden” amid latest developments in the world.
“Yes, we are working on a number of challenges around the world… but I think, so important to us, is even as we’re dealing with the present challenges, our focus, our engagement, our commitment, to Indo-Pacific, at large and to the relationship, the alliance between United States and the Philippines in particular, is more than rock solid. It’s the absolute priority of President Biden,” he added.
Blinken, earlier yesterday after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo, said the trilateral summit will focus on strengthening international law, security and trade ties.
“It is something that all three countries feel strongly about. We are stronger when we do it together and bring together all the complementaries that we have,” he said.
Malacañang said the meeting among Marcos, Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio will “highlight trilateral cooperation as a natural progression of the Philippines’ historical and strong ties with these countries, thereby enhancing coordination and collaboration on common priority areas.”
Topics to be discussed will range from maritime cooperation to infrastructure development, economic resiliency, trade and investments, clean energy and the climate, as well as cyber security and the digital economy, among other matters, it said.
The summit was announced earlier yesterday by the White House in a statement that was shared by the US Embassy in Manila.
“President Biden will host President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on April 11 at the White House for the first trilateral US-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit. At the summit, the leaders will advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, a proud and resolute commitment to shared democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” it said.
It added the leaders will also “reaffirm the ironclad alliances between the United States and the Philippines, and the United States and Japan,” adding that they will also discuss trilateral cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and emerging technologies, advance clean energy supply chains and climate cooperation, and further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.
In addition, the White House said Biden will host Marcos for a meeting at the White House on April 11 to review the momentum in US-Philippines relations and discuss efforts to expand cooperation on economic security, clean energy, people-to-people ties, and human rights and democracy.
“The President will reaffirm the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Philippines and emphasize US commitment to upholding international law and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the White House said.
The special summit is being held amid growing tension in the South China Sea which is being claimed, almost entirely, by China, and in parts by the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam.
China has been harassing Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea, by shadowing, firing water cannons, and making dangerous maneuvers against the ships bring supply to troops at the Ayungin Shoal which is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
It was Blinken’s second visit to the country.
SHARED CONCERN
Blinken, at a joint press briefing with his Filipino counterpart, Enrique Manalo, in Pasay City, lauded the recent strengthening of the defense ties between Washington and Manila as he reiterated the US’ “ironclad” commitment to its ally under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
Blinken said the ties will expand further in the coming days.
Washington has repeatedly condemned China’s harassment and aggressive activities against Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
“We have a shared concern about actions that threaten our common vision for a free open Indo-Pacific, including in the South China Sea and in the Philippines exclusive economic zone,” he said.
“These waterways are critical to the Philippines, to its security and economy. But it’s also critical to the interest of the region, the US, and the world,” he added.
He said the expansion of ties between the Philippines and the US is “extraordinary.”
“The alliance has never been stronger. But we do not only have to sustain that, we have to continue to accelerate the momentum,” he said.
He also said Beijing’s action towards Filipino fishermen and troops in the South China Sea are a clear violation of Filipino rights and international law, adding that Washington is engaged in intense diplomacy to reaffirm international law.
But Blinken clarified that the alliance is not meant to contain China.
“It is not designed against anyone, but in service of realizing a common vision for the future to the benefit of people in all of our countries,” he added.
‘HYPERDRIVE’
Manalo said the challenge for Manila and Washington is how to maintain and strengthen their cooperation in the face of growing tension in the region.
“We have been on hyperdrive over the past years. Engagements across issues and areas and between and among government branches,” Manalo said.
“The challenge now is how to sustain and further elevate our alliance and partnership,” he added.
Manalo added the Philippines remains committed to managing and resolving the maritime territorial dispute with China in accordance with international law.
Meanwhile, China reiterated its stand that the US has no right to interfere in the South China Sea dispute.
“The United States is not a party to the South China Sea issue and has no right to interfere in maritime issues that are between China and the Philippines,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian said in a press briefing in Beijing when asked to comment on Blinken’s statement that Washington will stand by Manila in the event of an armed attack.
Lin added that military cooperation between Washington and Manila should not be aimed at any country nor harm Beijing’s sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea.
China has
refused to abide by the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration which invalidates its sweeping claims in the South China Sea under the so-called nine-dash line.
AUSTRALIA-PH PACT
The Philippines and Australia have signed an agreement meant to further enhance their maritime cooperation and collaboration.
The signing of the Philippines-Australia Memorandum of Understanding on Enhanced Maritime Cooperation which took place last February 28 according to the Department of Foreign Affairs would further boost the “strategic partnership” between Manila and Canberra.
“The agreement outlines the commitment of both the Philippines and Australia to pursue greater cooperation in the spheres of civil maritime security, marine environment, marine cultural heritage, international law, and defense cooperation in support of regional peace and stability,” the DFA said in a statement issued yesterday.
“As two maritime democracies that fully observe international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the signing of the MOU as a general framework of cooperation is a positive step that will shape both current and future joint efforts by the two countries across the wide spectrum of maritime cooperation and collaboration,” the DFA added.
