A handout picture released by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shows an image of the structures being built by China at the disputed islands during a news conference at the AFP headquarters in Manila April 20, 2015. Recent satellite images show China has made rapid progress in building an airstrip suitable for military use in contested territory in the Spratly Islands and may be planning another, moves that have been greeted with concern in the United States and Asia.
Manila Times
Manila
The Philippines and Vietnam have agreed to conduct joint naval drills and scientific studies amid concerns over China’s intensified reclamations in the South China Sea.
The planned activities are part of the soon-to-be signed “Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Republic of the Philippines and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam,” a copy of which was obtained by Vera Files.
In the strategic partnership agreement, which is considered a final draft until it is signed, the Philippines and Vietnam “reaffirm their commitment to resolve territorial and jurisdictional disputes by peaceful means, as well as to the freedom of navigation in and over flight above the SCS (South China Sea), all in accordance with universally recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).”
The section on Defence, Security, Judicial and Law Enforcement Co-operation states that the two countries agree to make full use of existing joint mechanisms and agreements to intensify co-operation between their armed services.
