South China Sea: Beijing ‘wary’ as Japan deepens defence ties with Vietnam, Philippines

Recent moves by Tokyo to expand its military influence with Southeast Asian nations will have Beijing taking notice, observers say

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Japan has been strengthening its defence ties with countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam and the Philippines. The first Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between Philippines and Japan was held earlier this month. Photo: X/@AmbJPNinPH

Published: 12:00pm, 11 Aug 2024Updated: 3:12pm, 11 Aug 2024

Japan’s recent flurry of military engagements with several of China’s rival claimants in the South China Sea will have put Beijing on alert – and possibly look for ways to counter them, according to observers.

The assessments follow Japan’s pledge last week to deepen ties with Vietnam during a visit by Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara. As part of an agreement on defence equipment and technology transfer, Tokyo said it would provide two supply transport vehicles to Hanoi.

Vietnam’s defence chief, General Phan Van Giang, called for the two countries to push ahead towards a “new, effective phase … for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world”, Vietnamese media reported.

A week earlier, Japan held a joint military exercise with the Philippines in the South China Sea – the first of its kind.

Manila called the drills “part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific”, according to a statement from the Philippine armed forces.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire resource-rich South China Sea. These claims overlap with several countries in the region, including the Philippines and Vietnam, which have led to ongoing disputes. Tensions have remained particularly high between Beijing and Manila over a series of recent clashes.