| Deutsche Presse-Agentur |
Published: July 27, 2013
MANILA, Philippines ? Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday pledged more assistance to the Philippines in securing its seas amid territorial disputes with China.
The Philippines is a ?strategic partner? for Japan in its efforts to ensure a more peaceful and secure region, Abe said in Manila on the last leg of a three-country South-East Asian tour.
?I intend to further proceed with strategic diplomacy which will contribute to regional and global peace and prosperity,? he said.
?To promote maritime cooperation, we confirmed continued assistance towards the capacity building of the Philippine coast guard.?
Abe said Japan will provide 10 new patrol boats under a loan agreement. Tokyo earlier provided communication equipment.
Both countries have competing claims with China to maritime territories.
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III said he and Abe discussed ?security challenges? confronting them both and agreed to cooperate in calling for ?responsible actions from international players.?
?We believe this can be done by upholding the rule of law in international affairs and finding just and peaceful solutions to our territorial disputes and maritime concerns,? he said.
The Philippines has filed an arbitration case against China at the United Nations, challenging Beijing?s claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, including areas within Manila?s 370-kilometre exclusive economic zone.
Japan has stepped up patrols over its territorial waters amid growing security concerns from North Korea and China.
Abe has vowed to revive Japan?s influence and power in Asia, saying he wants to change the anti-war constitution to allow its defence forces to become a full-fledged military.
The United States, meanwhile, expressed concern over rising tensions in Asian waters and called on all parties to take steps to avoid conflict in the region.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said on a visit to Singapore that China and the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) should draw up a code of conduct to manage maritime disputes.
Beijing's claims in the South China Sea include potentially resource-rich areas, but ASEAN members Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei also claim territory as well as Taiwan.
Biden met Abe Friday in Singapore, where he said he visited to underscore US President Barack Obama's commitment to the strategic US pivot towards the Asia-Pacific.
The United States is working to balance its relations with longtime allies Japan and the Philippines and with China, its ideological rival, its large trading partner and a growing world power.
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