Japan support for ASEAN amid SCS row welcome — Marcos

JAKARTA, Indonesia – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. thanked Japan for helping maintain peace in the Indo-Pacific region and for opposing the militarization of reclaimed features in the South China Sea.

During his intervention at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit on Wednesday, Marcos Jr. expressed that the Philippines and Japan have a mutual interest in ensuring peace and stability in the Asian region, especially South China Sea, and strengthening their preparedness for marine emergencies.

"To this end, the trilateral maritime exercises conducted among the Coast Guards of the Philippines, Japan and the United States held this June was the first of its kind amongst the three countries. The exercises reinforced interoperability between and amongst the coast guards of our countries in responding to maritime disasters and to strengthening [Humanitarian] Assistance and Disaster Relief cooperation," Marcos said.

Marcos further emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Asian region through the adherence to the rule of law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He also welcomed Japan's support for the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific, a regional framework that promotes a free and open Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

"ASEAN welcomes Japan's support in our efforts to mainstream the AOIP, especially in upholding ASEAN Centrality," Marcos said.

Marcos also commended the Joint Statement on the Spirit of Camp David, which was signed by Japan, the United States and South Korea in June 2023.

The statement reaffirms the commitment of the three countries to a free and open Indo-Pacific, and opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the region.

"I commend the combination of hard work and vision that resulted in the Joint Statement that has now come to be known as The Spirit of Camp David," Marcos said.

Marcos also expressed his hope that the next 50 years of ASEAN-Japan relations will be even more successful than the past 50 years.

"It is my hope that the next 50 years will surpass all the accomplishments that we have achieved together during the past five decades," Marcos said.