VIETNAM-Def Mins Meet, Discuss Regional Tensions & South China Sea

(MNI) London - The defence ministers of the Philippines and Vietnam are speaking following a meeting in Manila. Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro said that he 'had extensive discussions with Vietnam on global and regional issues', that the two 'shared the view on a need to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea', underscoring 'the primacy of international law'.

• Teodoro says the two sides 'agreed to enhance military cooperation', adding that bilateral issues between the countries 'do not stop us from working together peacefully', and that 'we will work together in facing common threats'.
• Tensions in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China have spiked lately, with rival claims over maritime territory resulting in physical clashes between coastguard vessels, which in turn raises the risk of miscalculation that could spark a wider conflagration.
• Seeking closer ties with Vietnam plays into this strategy. While Vietnam has its own disputes with China and others about territorial claims in the South China Sea, it is also one of the few Asian nations that has successfully straddled maintaining strong relations with both Beijing and Washington, D.C., without being seen to overtly favour one or the other.
• Vietnamese Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang says the two sides 'agreed to maintain peace, stability in the South China Sea'. Says that Vietnam 'supports the early signing of the South China SeaCode of Conduct.