THE “rising tension” in the West Philippine Sea will be among the issues to be discussed by Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario and Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin when they meet with their counterparts in the United States’ Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter in Washington.
In a statement, the DFA said that the two sides are expected to discuss a wide range of bilateral issues on Jan. 12, 2015, including defense and security cooperation and significant developments in the economic engagement of the two countries.
“The agenda will also cover regional and global issues that impact on both countries, in particular, the recent developments in the South China Sea, the upcoming Special Asean-US Summit in California, and cooperation on climate change,” the DFA said.
The Philippines challenged China’s nine-dash line claim which encompasses almost the entire South China Sea before the international tribunal court but China refused to participate and said it would reject any decision of The Netherlands-based court which will come out early this year.
Last year, the US launched a direct military challenge to Beijing’s territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea with naval maneuvers near two artificial islands.
The guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen passed through waters near the disputed Spratly archipelago, within 12 nautical miles of the Spratlys’ Mischief and Subi reefs, which are at the heart of a controversial Chinese island building campaign that has soured ties between Washington and Beijing.
During the successful visit of President Barack Obama to Manila in November 2015, the Philippines and the United States reaffirm the enduring strength of the bilateral alliance.
The two governments are also committed to further enhance the historic friendship to better serve their respective national interests.