Marcos, Widodo discuss South China Sea amid rising tensions

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Indonesian President Joko Widodo discussed Wednesday developments in the South China Sea and regional cooperation initiatives during their meeting in Manila. 

In a joint press conference after their bilateral meeting, Marcos said he and Widodo had a “fruitful and honest discussion on regional events of mutual interest such as the developments in the South China Sea.” 

The two leaders also tackled enhanced cooperation among member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

“The Philippines and Indonesia affirmed our insistence on the universality of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which sets out the legal framework that governs all activities in the oceans and the seas,” Marcos said. 

Widodo also said that they agreed on the importance of strengthening unity and centrality among the Southeast Asian bloc.

“[We also agreed] for ASEAN to continue to uphold the principles of international law and become a positive force for peace, stability, and prosperity,” the Indonesian leader said. 

Last month, ASEAN foreign ministers expressed concern over heightened tensions in the South China Sea and called on all parties involved to engage in peaceful dialogue. 

Tensions between the Philippines and China have flared up in recent months, with vessels from both nations facing off in the waterway. 

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, encompassing waters and islands close to its neighbors' shores. It has ignored an international tribunal ruling in 2016, which stated that its claims have no legal basis. 

Manila and Jakarta also agreed to strengthen cooperation on border security by expediting the revision of agreements on border patrol and agreement as well as discussion on the settlement of continental boundaries.