‘Order in South China Sea should be governed by rules, not force’

MANILA, Philippines — Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, addressing Congress yesterday, underscored that the maritime order in the South China Sea (SCS) is “governed by laws and rules, not by force.”

In his speech before the joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate at the Batasan Complex in Quezon City, Kishida said to “maintain and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law, multi-layered cooperation among allies and like-minded countries is crucial.”

“In September, President Marcos, United States Vice President (Kamala) Harris and I exchanged views for the first time and confirmed to enhance cooperation,” he noted.

Kishida, who is the first Japanese prime minister to speak before Congress, cited that in the SCS, the trilateral cooperation to protect the freedom of the sea is “underway.”

“In addition to the participation of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces in the joint US-Philippines exercises held last month, the first joint exercise by the coast guard agencies of the three countries was held in June this year,” he maintained.

“Through these efforts, let us protect the maritime order, which is governed by laws and rules, not by force,” he said.

According to Kishida, the international community is currently at a “historic turning point.”
At the same time, he pointed out, the “international order based on the rule of law that we have taken for granted is under serious threat.”

“The international community is also facing complex and interrelated challenges such as climate change and infectious diseases. Under these circumstances, we cannot afford to have the world divided based on ideologies and values,” Kishida added.

The leader has reiterated his assurance that Japan will “continue to contribute to the enhancement of the Philippines’ security capabilities, thereby contributing to regional peace and stability.”

Kishida also said the Philippines, with the second largest population among ASEAN countries with more than 300,000 Filipinos living in Japan, is an “irreplaceable partner for Japan.”
He said more than half a century had passed since former prime minister Takeo Fukuda visited Manila in 1977.

But still,