The leaders of the United States, Japan and the Philippines are set to agree Thursday that they will step up their defense and economic cooperation, in a move aimed at pushing against China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials involved in the preparations of the first-ever summit of the three countries have said they will express strong concern over China's continued aggressive actions in the South China Sea, while underscoring their staunch commitment to respecting international law and the sovereign rights of other states.
The summit at the White House in the afternoon will take place a day after U.S. President Joe Biden hosted Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for an official meeting and a state dinner.
With Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the U.S. and Japanese leaders, as they did on Wednesday, are expected to show their resolve to deepen ties with like-minded countries to ensure regional stability.
As part of efforts to do so, a senior U.S. official said the United States and Japan will help the Philippine Coast Guard strengthen its capabilities.
The three-way meeting will be held as the United States and Japan seek to increase joint defense exercises with Australia, Britain and the Philippines against the backdrop of China's military expansion and territorial assertiveness.
The Marcos administration is struggling to deal with Chinese moves in contested areas of the South China Sea, while at the same time wary of being dragged into the geopolitical rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
Last month, vessels from China, which claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, once again hit a Philippine boat with water cannon near the Manila-controlled Second Thomas Shoal.
In addition to boosting cooperation on maritime safety, the leaders will expand the scope of the trilateral framework to economic projects in the Philippines linked to infrastructure, supply chains and energy, according to the officials.
One of the main projects is to support the development of an economic corridor on the Philippine main island of Luzon, where most of its people live, according to the officials.
The development is aimed at improving connectivity between Subic Bay, Clark, Manila and Batangas, with "high-impact infrastructure projects," including the modernization of ports and rails, expected, the U.S. official said.
A senior Japanese official said the costs of developing the Luzon Economic Corridor will not be in a joint statement to be released by the leaders.
