U.S. and Philippines eye 2-plus-2 talks in Manila for first time

South China Sea will be high on agenda at March gathering -- if Austin's health permits

20240128N US Philippines SCS

The Philippines, Japan, and the U.S conduct their first trilateral coast guard exercise off the coast of Bataan, Philippines, in June 2023. © Reuters

RYO NAKAMURA and RAMON ROYANDOYAN, Nikkei staff writers

WASHINGTON/MANILA -- The U.S. and Philippines are in talks to hold a meeting between top diplomatic and defense officials in Manila in the spring, people familiar with the planning said, as the countries align to take a stand against Beijing's aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea.

The so-called two-plus-two meeting would be the first held in the Philippines since the format began in 2012. Washington and Manila resumed the dialogue last year following a seven-year hiatus.

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