On April 24 (Philippine time), senior officials from the US and the Philippines convened a 3+3 meeting in Washington and discussed “strengthening coordination to resolve challenges in the East Sea”.
US and allied ships conduct exercises in the East Sea on April 7. (Source: US Navy)
Global Nation Reporting, the US State Department said the meeting was attended by senior officials from this ministry, the Department of Defense, the National Security Council and their Philippine counterparts.
A press release issued by the US State Department confirmed: “The parties discussed the results of the leaders’ recent commitments and how the two sides can continue to facilitate a free and open Indo-Pacific region”.
The parties continue to decide to exploit more opportunities to increase global support to maintain international maritime law.
The meeting follows the annual US-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, which took place from April 22-23, as well as the historic trilateral leadership summit between the Philippines, the US and Japan on April 11. 4.