Japan pushes Philippines, US to form anti-China security framework

• Japan, the Philippines and the United States plan to set up a trilateral framework involving their national security advisers, officials familiar with the matter said recently, amid China’s growing military assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.
• Their first discussions under the new scheme may take place as early as Apr 23, said Eduardo Ano, security adviser to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Ano said he is “willing to attend” the meeting although details, including which country will host the talks, remain fluid.
• The proposal to initiate a three-way security dialogue was put forward by Japan which, with the US, believes that forging closer ties with the Philippines is essential for boosting deterrence against Beijing and preparing for a potential crisis over Taiwan.
• The so-called two-plus-two talks between the two countries will be convened for the first time since January 2016, signalling that the administration of Marcos Jnr continues to pursue a different foreign policy approach from his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

External Link : https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3215226/japan-pushes-philippines-us-form-anti-china-security-framework