Key facts
- Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro emphasized the importance of establishing clear maritime boundaries with Japan for national defense.
- The Philippines intends to proceed with maritime border delimitation talks with Japan.
- Manila believes these talks should not involve China, despite potential opposition from Beijing.
Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro stated that establishing clear maritime boundaries between the Philippines and Japan is of vital importance to the country's national defense. Lazaro indicated in an interview that Manila intends to pursue talks on maritime borders with Japan, despite opposition from Beijing. She added that the Philippines is of the view that it has to proceed with the delimitation talks with Japan, even with certain reactions from 'some of our friends.' Lazaro made these remarks on the sidelines of the Future of Asia Forum in Tokyo.