Philippines forges stronger maritime alliances with France, Japan amid Chinese pressure

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France, Japan, and several other countries are strengthening their maritime security partnership with the Philippines this year amid China’s aggressive moves over the West Philippine sea, according to Stratbase Institute. 

Aside from Japan and France, the European Union, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Australia also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting peace in the region and defending rights over the seas. This took place during a maritime security forum organized by the Stratbase Institute.

For the relationship between France and the Philippines, French Ambassador Marie Fontanel emphasized major initiatives, including the “deployment of the Pegase 24 Air and Space Force, and the establishment of a full-fledged defense mission in Manila in June.”

“For an archipelagic nation like the Philippines, maritime safety is crucial. Ensuring the efficient transport of people and goods is essential for economic prosperity, while territorial and maritime sovereignty are vital for national security,” Fontanel said.

Also, Japanese ambassador Endo Kazuya said that Japan “stands ready to work closely with the Philippines, ASEAN, and the international community to advance a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” 

This echoed Japan’s commitment to upholding the rule of law as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Meanwhile, Indonesian Ambassador Widjojo emphasized how important maritime Southeast Asia is for global politics and trade, noting that Indonesia and the Philippines—as maritime nations—should “maximize” this to benefit their countries.

“While Indonesia and the Philippines should continue the existing close maritime cooperation, both countries should find ways to promote regional maritime cooperation in the wider Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

Additionally, Dr. Moya Collett, Australian acting ambassador and chargé d'Affaires ad interim, announced that the Philippines would join “for the first time in the Talisman Sabre exercise, the largest military exercise in the southern hemisphere.”

“Maritime security and territorial defense are now core pillars of Australia’s Defense Cooperation Program, evolving in response to the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ needs,” Collett said.

Massimo Santoro, European Union delegation ambassador, stressed the importance of a rule-based order in the Indo-Pacific, explaining that a “region free from coercion” would lead to collective stability.

“Strategic partnerships are central to the EU’s approach to the Indo-Pacific, promoting cooperation over confrontation,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Stratbase Institute president Dindo Manhit said the international partnership “goes beyond defense concerns and extends to the safety of trade routes, port modernization, and the sustainable management of maritime industries.”