Manila cites 'one theater' concept in Tokyo defense ties

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Japan are increasingly viewing the South China Sea and East China Sea as one connected security theater, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said, as Manila and Tokyo expand defense ties amid China’s growing maritime assertiveness.

Speaking at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. earlier this month, Lazaro said the idea was raised in recent discussions between the two countries.

"One thing that is very important in the defense cooperation is the 'one theater concept,' which means that the South China Sea and the East China Sea will be seen as one theater," Lazaro said at the June 4 forum.

"I guess that is one aspect that is quite important and was reiterated during the discussions," she added.

Lazaro made the remark when asked whether Japan’s shift in arms export policy could lead to more exchanges, arms sales or transfers to the Philippines. She said defense cooperation with Japan remained limited by certain provisions and that Manila was not yet "into that."

China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, including areas within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. It also has maritime and territorial disputes with Japan in the East China Sea, particularly over the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands, which China also claims.

Manila and Tokyo, both facing maritime pressure from China in different waters, have recently been identifying further areas of convergence. The two have elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership during President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s state visit to Tokyo in May.

The two countries have also entered into a Reciprocal Access Agreement last year, which allows the entry and temporary presence of troops in each other's territory and facilitates joint military exercises, among other exchanges. It is Japan's first such agreement in Asia and only its third globally after similar arrangements with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Lazaro said the Japan relationship has evolved beyond economic cooperation into a broader partnership covering defense, infrastructure and people-to-people ties.

"There is still a lot we can do together, but this state visit has really evolved into a comprehensive strategic partnership, probably one of the highest forms of cooperative endeavor and relationships that we have," Lazaro said.

Taiwan is not part of planned maritime delimitation talks between the Philippines and Japan, after China and Taiwan raised concerns over the announcement.

"Taiwan is not part of the discussions... It is only us and Japan," Lazaro said. "So we can just put Taiwan aside. That is how it works. But it is very important for us to have these delimitation talks."

Lazaro said China "immediately reacted" to the announcement of the delimitation talks, but the Philippines has conveyed that the discussions are only between Manila and Tokyo.

Japan has said any agreement resulting from the talks would not bind third parties.

Beijing has called the maritime border talks illegal and responded by sending coast guard vessels for patrols in waters east of Taiwan. Taiwan, which rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims over the island, has also said it should be consulted on talks involving waters near Taiwan.

Lazaro said the Philippines has similar delimitation talks with several countries, including Indonesia and Palau, due to issues tied to the country’s colonial-era boundaries.

The remarks come as Manila continues to expand security ties with partners beyond its treaty alliance with the United States, including Japan, Australia and other like-minded countries. 

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