<div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Japan and the Philippines intend to emphasise to President-elect Donald Trump the critical importance of continued U.S. involvement in upholding the rule of law in Asia, particularly amid escalating security concerns, Japan's Foreign Minister said on Wednesday, reports AP.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Under President Joe Biden, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines have been fostering a strategic alliance to address China's increasingly assertive actions in the contested South China Sea and East China Sea. However, Trump's "America First" policy has raised doubts about the future extent of U.S. engagement in the region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya, speaking at a news conference alongside his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila, stated, "We will communicate to the next U.S. administration that constructive U.S. engagement in this region is not only crucial for us but also beneficial for the U.S. itself."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Iwaya confirmed his plans to attend Trump’s inauguration on January 20 as Japan remains a close treaty ally of the U.S., alongside the Philippines.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"Given the increasingly severe strategic environment in the region, Japan prioritises both bilateral cooperation with the Philippines and strengthening trilateral collaboration with the United States," Iwaya noted.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Rising tensions between Chinese and Philippine coast guards in the heavily trafficked South China Sea have heightened fears of a larger conflict, potentially drawing in the U.S. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defend Philippine forces under their mutual defence treaty if they face armed attacks in the region.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">"The South China Sea issue is a legitimate international concern as it directly impacts regional peace and stability," Iwaya remarked. He added that Japan firmly opposes any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo through force and urged for a de-escalation of tensions.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jonathan Malaya, assistant director-general of the Philippine National Security Council, cautioned that China’s actions are becoming increasingly provocative, stating, "China is pushing us to the wall," and noting that "all options are on the table," including new international legal challenges.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Philippine coast guard reported that a large Chinese coast guard vessel recently patrolled the contested Scarborough Shoal and approached the northwestern Philippine coast, coming within 77 nautical miles (143 kilometres).</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, a Chinese official in Beijing reiterated that the South China Sea falls under China’s established sovereignty, asserting that their coast guard’s activities are lawful and justified. China has consistently accused the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia of encroaching on what it considers its territorial waters.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Philippine Foreign Minister Manalo said the latest developments would be discussed during a scheduled meeting on Thursday in Xiamen between Chinese and Philippine diplomats. The two nations have engaged in ongoing talks through the Bilateral Consultation Mechanism, aiming to manage disputes and prevent them from escalating into armed conflict.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">BN/KH</div>