U.S., Japan, Philippines agree to strengthen security ties amid tensions over China, North Korea

The Security Advisers of United States, Japan and Philippines discussed opportunities for joint naval exercises in Indo-Pacific waters and agreed to deepen military cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief

The National Security Advisers of the United States, Japan and the Philippines held their first joint talks on June 16 and agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation, as Washington and its partners reinforce their alliances to adapt to growing tensions over North Korea, China and Ukraine, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said.

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Mr. Sullivan said he and his Japanese and Philippine counterparts discussed the "turbulent regional security environment and how we can collectively work to enhance peace and stability” in areas including freedom of navigation and economic security.

Mr. Sullivan, Takeo Akiba of Japan and Eduardo Ano of the Philippines said in a joint statement that they emphasized the importance of enhancing three-way cooperation, building on alliances between Japan and the U.S. and between the Philippines and the U.S. to maintain peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, especially in the Taiwan Strait.

Mr. Sullivan said the “path-breaking” new trilateral framework is part of multiple alliances involving the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, including three-way cooperation with Japan and South Korea and the Quad security dialogue with Australia, India and Japan.

“I would say different groupings may have different points of priority and emphasis, but actually what we are finding is, the agenda is expanding because in a way the world is shrinking. And all of the problems everywhere are coming to touch every country in this area,” Mr. Sullivan said.

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