Vietnam and Philippines sign deal on South China Sea security

Pact comes as China more aggressively asserts itself in the disputed area

20240130 MArcos Jr. and Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., left, shakes hands with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong in Hanoi on Jan. 30. © EPA/Jiji

RAMON ROYANDOYAN and LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writers

January 30, 2024 14:16 JST

MANILA/HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnam and the Philippines on Tuesday signed a maritime cooperation agreement to help better manage conflicts amid the threat of China's expansionism in the South China Sea.

The two countries, which have overlapping maritime claims in the sea, inked the pact on the second day of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Vietnam.