Japan pushes Philippines, US to form anti-China security framework

The proposal to set up a 3-way framework was put forward by Tokyo to boost deterrence against Beijing and prepare for a potential crisis over Taiwan
Japanese and US officials reportedly want to expand the framework beyond dialogue to trilateral defence cooperation and exercises in the near future

Japan

Kyodo

Published: 3:01pm, 29 Mar 2023

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Japan, the Philippines and the United States plan to set up a trilateral framework involving their national security advisers, officials familiar with the matter said recently, amid China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

Their first discussions under the new scheme may take place as early as April, said Eduardo Ano, security adviser to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Ano said he is “willing to attend” the meeting although details, including which country will host the talks, remain fluid.

An aide to Ano separately disclosed on Friday that the proposal to initiate a three-way security dialogue was put forward by Japan which, with the US, believes that forging closer ties with the Philippines is essential for boosting deterrence against Beijing and preparing for a potential crisis over Taiwan.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and his Japanese counterpart Takeo Akiba are expected to be the two other representatives at the envisioned meeting, according to a US government source.

Japanese National Security Adviser Takeo Akiba is expected to be at the envisaged meeting with his counterparts from the US and the Philippines. Photo: Reuters

Another US government source said the trilateral meeting is likely to take place after the US and the Philippines hold security talks involving their foreign and defence ministers in Washington on April 11.

The so-called two-plus-two talks between the two countries will be convened for the first time since January 2016, signalling that the administration of Marcos Jnr continues to pursue a different foreign policy approach from his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte, who held office for six years until June 2022, repeatedly threatened to sever the Philippines’ long-time security ties with the US and often ignored China’s illegal incursions in the South China Sea.

Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, but the Philippines, several other Southeast Asian countries and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

Philippines wants Australia, Japan to join South China Sea patrols: envoy

China disregards a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its territorial claims to the area. Tokyo - which has been seeking to counter China’s assertion of sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands in the East China Sea, known as the Senkakus in Japan - is a US treaty ally, alongside Manila.

The Philippines seeks the support of Japan and the US over a territorial dispute in the South China Sea, but it is also cautious about relying too much on the two countries.

Marcos Jnr has made it clear that his administration will not seek to embrace a “Cold War mindset”, saying his country’s foreign policy will be independent and will not choose a side between Beijing and Washington.

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Japanese and US officials, meanwhile, want to expand the framework beyond dialogue to trilateral defence cooperation and exercises in the near future.

The US government has assessed that Beijing could take military action against Taiwan, which it considers part of its territory, by 2027 when Xi Jinping’s third term as leader of the Communist Party ends.

As Beijing’s behaviour towards Taiwan becomes increasingly assertive, Japan and the US regard the Philippines, a country located near important sea lanes and the self-ruled democratic island, as strategically important for maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Philippine province near Taiwan may reluctantly allow US to use army bases

Despite seeking to avoid being caught in the intensifying rivalry between China and the US, the Philippines has adopted a more resolute stance in recent months against Beijing.

In February, the Philippines’ president granted the US access to four more military bases, raising the number American soldiers can use in the country to nine.

He also summoned China’s ambassador to Manila following an incident involving a Chinese coastguard vessel shining a powerful laser at one of its ships in the contested waters.