(UPDATE) JAPANESE Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said the Philippines and Japan expressed serious concerns over China's attempt "to unilaterally change the status quo by force" in the East China Sea and South China Sea. The Philippines and Japan, two of the United States' closest Asian allies, have taken a strong line against what they see as aggressive behavior by Chinese vessels amid disputes over maritime sovereignty. An RAA is a legal framework seen to strengthen collaboration and facilitate exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. "A decision was made to start negotiations on the reciprocal access agreement (RAA), and [we] agreed to further strengthen trilateral cooperation among Japan, [the] United States and the Philippines," Kishida said. "We also confirm to further promote cooperation to improve the Philippines' maritime law enforcement capabilities, including the provision of patrol vessels and defense equipment and technological cooperation, including the transfer of warning and control radar," he added.

Source: Manila Times November 05, 2023 14:31 UTC