Marcos grateful for Vietnam’s backing of 2016 arbitral award

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) and Vietnam National Defense Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang (left) shake hands during the latter’s courtesy call in the Malacañan Palace on Friday, August 30, 2024. Marcos said Vietnam has expressed support for the 2016 arbitral award, which favored the Philippines’ sovereign claims in the West Philippine Sea. (PPA POOL / Noel B. Pabalate)

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Vietnam has expressed support for the 2016 arbitral award, which favored the Philippines’ sovereign claims in the West Philippine Sea.

In a social media post following his meeting with Vietnam Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang at Malacanan Palace, Marcos said the Philippines’ ties with its Southeast Asian neighbor reached “greater heights” after his talk with the Vietnamese official.

Phan paid a courtesy call to Marcos on Friday, August 30.

“We thank Vietnam for supporting the Arbitral Award,” Marcos said in a Facebook post.

“Together, we remain committed to peaceful resolutions, de-escalating tensions and ensuring that the rule of law and a rules-based international order prevail in our region,” he added.

READ: Marcos to Vietnam’s defense chief: We now have defense, security alliance

Marcos likewise said that Phan’s visit serves as “further impetus” to “increase the depth and the range” of the Philippines’ relationship with Vietnam.

He then noted several key developments in the two countries’ cooperation in defense, security, maritime, and trade, among others.

Phan, for his part, recognized the “very good interactions and exchanges” between the Philippines and Vietnam, especially the Navy-to-Navy discussions of the two nations.

READ: Philippines open to Vietnam talks on overlapping sea claims

He also acknowledged the Philippines as a “responsible member” of the Association of Southeast Asian nations (Asean).

“And we believe that as a responsible member of the Asean Community, the Philippines will further play a very active and dynamic role to contribute more to the Asean Community,” he said.

The July 2016 arbitral award stemmed from the case filed by Manila in 2013, challenging Beijing’s sweeping claims over the South China Sea.

The arbitral award invalidated China’s nine-dash line claim – which it revised to 10-dash line in 2023 to incorporate Taiwan and more areas within the West Philippine Sea – as it recognized the Philippines’ absolute rights over waters within the country’s exclusive economic zone.

However, China has been refusing to acknowledge the historic award and continuing its invasion of Philippine domain. China has likewise repeatedly harassed Filipino ships and fisherfolk, believing that it owns nearly the entire South China Sea, which overlaps the West Philippine Sea.