South China Sea: Japan, U.S. To Up Military Assistance To Regional Allies

September 7, 2016 | 08:59 GMT

Japan and the United States on Sept. 7 both pledged to provide greater military assistance to Southeast Asian states locked in a territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea, AFP reported. According to the Philippine coast guard, the United States pledged two used military surveillance aircraft to help Manila expand sea patrols in the face of territorial disputes with China. Meanwhile, Japan has pledged to give Malaysia an unspecified number of used coast guard patrol vessels, as well as coast guard training and support for necessary communications equipment. Japan’s move follows a pledge on Sept. 6 to give the Philippines two large patrol ships and lend the country as many as five used surveillance aircraft. Japan has been gradually increasing its support for the Philippine military amid rising tension in the South China Sea, including an earlier pledge to provide 10 smaller patrol ships.