PNoy, Vietnam PM to discuss defense cooperation

MANILA, Philippines — Amid the increasing tensions in the South China Sea, President Benigno Aquino III will discuss defense cooperation with Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung when the latter visits Manila on Wednesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Dung will have his working visit to the Philippines starting tomorrow until Friday upon the invitation of President Aquino and for the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF-EA) to be held here.

"Prime Minister Dung will meet with the President tomorrow, May 21, to discuss matters of mutual concern, including cooperative activities in defense, tourism, and trade and investment," the DFA said.

On Thursday, Dung will be part of a panel along with President Aquino and Myanmar Vice President U Nyan Tun at the opening plenary of the WEF-EA, where they will share their views on leveraging growth for equitable progress.

According to the DFA, this is Dung's second visit to the Philippines. He first went here in August 2007. President Aquino, on the other hand, visited Vietnam in October 2010 and in October 2011.

Vietnam and the Philippines were involved in the most recent tensions in the disputed South China Sea.

China deployed an oil rig off the coast of Vietnam, sparking outrage among the Vietnamese that escalated to anti-China riots.

The Philippines, meanwhile, protested China's land reclamation efforts on the contested Mabini Reef. Authorities also arrested Chinese poachers in the disputed waters.

Indonesian president to visit Manila, too

Another head of state, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, will also undertake his state visit to the Philippines on Thursday and Friday upon the invitation of President Aquino.

The DFA said Yudhoyono will be attending Manila’s hosting of the WEF-EA, where he will be conferred with the Global Statesmanship Award.

The Southeast Asian leader will also witness the official turn over to Indonesia of the hosting of the WEF-EA in 2015.

On Friday, Yudhoyono will meet with Aquino to discuss matters of mutual concern, including political, defense and border, maritime, economic and socio-cultural cooperation.

Yudhoyono will also be conferred with the Order of Sikatuna with rank of Raja during the state dinner to be hosted in his honor.

This will be Yudhoyono's first bilateral visit to the Philippines since he became Indonesia's President for two consecutive terms in 2004 and 2009.

President Aquino visited Indonesia in March 2011.