Image Courtesy of: Reuters
By Junex Doronio
IN THE FACE OF China’s “expansionist threat,” the Philippines, United States and Japan have jointly expressed their commitment to work for a free and open Indo-Pacific and ensure peaceful resolution of disputes.
This was declared by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday (Saturday in the Philippines) at the Second Trilateral Ministerial Meeting on the sidelines of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
“Our alliance with Japan and the Philippines is a cornerstone of our Indo-Pacific strategy. Together, we are committed to promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring the peaceful resolution of disputes, and upholding international law,” Blinken announced.
Hosted by the US, the meeting was attended by Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo and Japan Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa.
Meanwhile, the Philippines is exploring legal options against China accusing it of destruction of coral reefs within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea.
But China flatly dismissed the allegation, saying it was an attempt to “create political drama”. (ai/mnm)