IRIA News

Top diplomats of the United States, Australia, India, and Japan have announced a series of measures aimed at bolstering maritime security, expressing significant concern over increasing intimidation in the South China Sea. The announcement came during a meeting of the Quad nations in Tokyo, amid escalating regional tensions involving China.

Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa was joined by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for these critical discussions.

Kamikawa emphasized the growing unpredictability of the international order, citing several geopolitical flashpoints. “Uncertainty surrounding the international order as well as the international situation has been increasing with Russia continuing its aggression in Ukraine, attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea,” Kamikawa said after the talks.

Enhancing maritime security

In a bid to enhance maritime security and ensure freedom of navigation, the Quad nations outlined several key initiatives. Blinken stated, “We are charting a course for a more secure and open Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean region by bolstering maritime security.” He elaborated, “In practical terms what does this mean? It means strengthening the capacity of partners across the region to know what’s happening in their own waters.”

Penny Wong underscored the collective effort, saying, “We all know we cannot achieve the region we seek alone. And just as we benefit from the complementarity of our partners, so does our region, because of our geography and our shared approach to building prosperity and reinforcing stability. All of us want a world in which disputes are managed by rules, by talking, by cooperation, not by force or raw power.”

While the Quad’s joint statement refrained from directly naming China, it explicitly condemned any “unilateral actions that seek to change the status quo by force or coercion.” The ministers expressed deep concern about “the militarization of disputed features and coercive and intimidating maneuvers in the South China Sea, including dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels.”

The United States and Japan had earlier issued a statement labeling China as the “greatest strategic challenge” facing the region. China’s response was swift, with foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian warning the Quad to “stop creating imaginary enemies” and accusing them of “artificially creating tension, inciting confrontation and containing the development of other countries.”

The Quad ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” and adherence to international law. Kamikawa noted, “Uncertainty surrounding the international order as well as the international situation has been increasing with Russia continuing its aggression in Ukraine, attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea and South China Sea, and the launch of ballistic missiles by North Korea.”

They also condemned North Korea’s ballistic missile launches and reiterated their dedication to the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Kamikawa stressed the importance of understanding and cooperation towards the immediate resolution of the abductions issue involving North Korea.

Support for ASEAN

The ministers pledged support for ASEAN unity and the implementation of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP). They also reaffirmed their support for Pacific Island countries in line with the objectives of the “2050 Strategy” of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF).

The Quad ministers also announced initiatives to enhance cybersecurity to protect critical infrastructure, including undersea cables. This was part of their broader commitment to ensure regional stability and security.

.@ASEAN is at the heart of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy that addresses the region's biggest political and security challenges.

Joined 26 of my counterparts to discuss maritime issues, the South China Sea, the crisis in Burma, and more at today’s ASEAN Regional Forum. pic.twitter.com/6w0E07tfpf

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) July 28, 2024

In addition, the Quad ministers emphasized their commitment to the UN Charter and concurred on working on UN reforms, including Security Council reforms. They also discussed the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East among other global security issues.

The U.S. announced a significant revamp of its military command in Japan, aimed at addressing the evolving security environment. Blinken commented, “We are strengthening the capacity of our partners across the region to ensure freedom of navigation and the unimpeded flow of lawful maritime commerce.”

US-Philippines 2+2 security talks

After concluding the talks in Tokyo, Blinken and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with their counterparts in the Philippines. Top diplomats and defense chiefs of the Philippines and the US held historic 2+2 talks in Manila, marking the first time such a ministerial meeting was hosted by the Philippines.

The discussions underscore Washington’s enhanced security engagement in the Southeast Asian nation, which is grappling with Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

Following the talks, the U.S. announced a significant boost to Philippine defense capabilities, committing $500 million to modernize the Philippine military and coast guard. Additionally, the US will double its investment in nine shared facilities across the Philippines. The two nations also agreed to finalize an intelligence-sharing pact, known as GSOMIA, by the end of the year.

At a press conference after the talks, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro expressed gratitude for the U.S.’s continued support. “Thank you to the US government for the continued assistance in building up our capabilities, which will provide a tremendous boost in order for us to establish a credible deterrence to unlawful foreign aggression,” Teodoro said.

Blinken emphasized the strong bilateral relationship. “The relationship between the United States and the Philippines is the strongest that it’s ever been. These talks built on that unprecedented momentum in a number of very concrete ways,” Blinken stated.

During the visit, top U.S. officials also met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Marcos expressed satisfaction with the ongoing attention to regional security. “I am happy the situation in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific continues to be examined so that the two countries are agile in their response,” he noted.

The talks come at a time of increased tensions in the South China Sea, with a series of skirmishes between the Philippines and China. Observers view the closer ties between the U.S. and the Philippines as a strategic move to counter China’s influence in the region.

It’s great to be in Manila with @SecBlinken for the fourth U.S.-Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.

We’re achieving historic results together. And today, we’ll continue to advance our momentum. pic.twitter.com/hIb3o6hHQQ

— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) July 30, 2024

In addition to military aid and intelligence-sharing, the enhanced U.S.-Philippine cooperation is seen as a crucial step in maintaining regional stability. The significant financial and strategic commitments by the U.S. aim to bolster the Philippines’ defense capabilities, ensuring they can effectively respond to any threats or aggressive actions in the contested waters.

This renewed partnership and the outcomes of the 2+2 talks highlight the shared commitment of the U.S. and the Philippines to uphold a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly in the face of China’s growing assertiveness.