The Philippines and Japan held their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea on Tuesday, while Japan's coastguard works with Vietnam this week, as Tokyo boosts maritime ties with two nations at odds with Beijing over the disputed waterway. Japan's cooperation follows a speech last year by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowing to help Southeast Asia maintain freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. The training also comes amid international criticism of China's reclamation around seven reefs in the Spratly chain of the South China Sea and concerns of U.S. and Philippine military officials that Beijing might eventually try to impose an exclusion zone over the disputed territory. Two Japanese destroyers and a Philippine warship participated in a maritime safety exercise to the west of Manila in the South China Sea, practicing the drill for unplanned encounters, known as CUES, Philippine officials said. The exercise followed a pact in January between Japan and the … [Read more...] about Japan steps up maritime engagement with Philippines, Vietnam
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Philippines, Vietnam and China sign East Sea seismic survey agreement
A tripartite agreement on a joint survey of seismic activity in an agreed area of the East Sea was signed in Manila on March 14 between Viet Nam Petroleum Corporation (PetroVietnam), the Philippines National Oil Company (PNOC) and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC). Under the agreement, the parties pledged to strictly implement the United Nations Convention on the 1982 Sea Law and the Declaration on the code of conduct in the East Sea (South China Sea) signed between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China in 2002, and expressed their determination to turn the East Sea into a region of peace, stability, cooperation and development. They also affirmed that the signing of the agreement does not compromise the fundamental stance of related governments on the East Sea matter. The agreement also stressed the principle of equality and unanimity among related parties in conducting joint surveys. The agreement stipulated that the three oil companies of … [Read more...] about Philippines, Vietnam and China sign East Sea seismic survey agreement
Philippines, Vietnam agree to develop rice technologies
Manila and Hanoi are collaborating on developing rice technologies aimed at increasing the production of the staple. The governments of the Philippines and Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) which provides for an exchange between the two countries of scientific resources in developing new and improved palay varieties that are high-yielding, of good grain quality, with disease and pest resistance, and with wide adaptability. The MOU was signed by the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) and Vietnam's Northern Mountainous Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute (Nomafsi). "The bilateral partnership aims to harness manpower to provide mutually supportive services to farmers of both countries," said PhilRice executive director Ronilo Beronio. Nomafsi deputy director general Ha Dinh Tuan signed the MOU on behalf of Vietnam. Aside from developing new rice technologies, the MOU also calls for research activities using PalayCheck and integrated pest … [Read more...] about Philippines, Vietnam agree to develop rice technologies
Philippines, Vietnam compete for Japanese investors: experts
The Philippines must now compete with Vietnam to attract Japan's foreign direct investors after being overtaken by other SE Asian countries, a press conference held by Jetro Monday highlighted. But with regard to information technology, the Philippines still has an edge over Vietnam and other countries in Asia due to the Philippines' labor force, Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) expert Shinichiro Kato said. … [Read more...] about Philippines, Vietnam compete for Japanese investors: experts
Philippines, Vietnam step up defence cooperation
Lieut. Gen. Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, received General Eduardo San Lorenzo Oban, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, in Hanoi on September 28. Lieut. Gen. Ty spoke highly of the visit by General Eduardo Oban and his entourage, saying he believed that the visit will contribute to strengthening the friendship between the two countries' militaries and people. He took the occasion to express thanks to the Philippines for the recent release of 122 Vietnamese fishermen and for the Philippine naval force's support in rescuing 12 other fishermen who were in distress at sea on September 1. Ty also expressed his sympathy over losses and damages caused by recent storms to the Philippine people. For his part, General Eduardo Oban applauded Vietnam's achievements in socio-economic development, national defence and security. Both host and guest maintained that the two countries' armies still have great potential for cooperation … [Read more...] about Philippines, Vietnam step up defence cooperation