MANILA: Vietnam and the Philippines today agreed to advance defence and military relations, including deeper collaboration on maritime security, in a significant step by two countries long at odds with Beijing over its actions in the South China Sea.
Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Van Giang was in the capital here for talks with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, his first such visit, and paid a courtesy call earlier in the day on Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
"The ministers expressed their unwavering commitment to deepen defence and military cooperation through continued interaction and engagements at all levels," the Philippine Defence Department said in a statement.
Giang said the two countries agreed to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and resolve disputes peacefully and in line with international law.
Their meeting came at a time of simmering tension in the South China Sea and international concern about the possibility of an escalation, with China and United States defence ally the Philippines sparring almost every week in a row that has raged for more than a year.
The Philippines and major western powers had been vexed by the conduct of the vast fleet of coast guard China had deployed throughout the South China Sea, which Manila accused of aggression and dangerous manoeuvres in blocking its vessels.
China, which claimed sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, had accused the Philippines of provocations and repeated trespassing.
Vietnam had a tricky balancing act of opposing actions by China that it deemed infringements on its sovereignty, while needing to maintain close relations with a giant neighbour and major trade partner, forged over decades by their ruling communist parties.
Teodoro said it was important Asean be central to ensuring peace and stability and freedom of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea.
"We talked about making more concrete and effective steps of working together and with our Asean partners, to ensure the continuity of these desires of all Asean peoples through concrete cooperation and interaction, underscoring the primacy of international law," he said.
Despite their overlapping claims in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, where Vietnam and the Philippines each occupy atolls and reefs, both countries had expressed desire to work together and tackle disputes.
Coast guards of the two countries earlier this month held their first-ever joint exercises in Manila, simulating fire-fighting drills and search-and-rescue exercises.