UK's Cleverly talked maritime security, trade on Ph visit
By Nidz Godino
Maritime security, trade and environment, UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Manila counterpart discussed recently.
Cleverly also visited Philippine Coast Guard, along with military, has accused China of breaking international law in an escalating series of spats in disputed South China Sea.
He said in statement he went "to hear about work they do to uphold UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and protect environment".
China claims almost entire South China Sea, through which trillions of dollars in trade passes annually, and has ignored international ruling its claims have no legal basis.
Chinese coast guard vessels chased and briefly blocked Philippine boats on resupply mission to remote garrison on Second Thomas Shoal in Spratly Islands last week, second incident of its kind this month.
Cleverly said Britain wanted to build "enduring partnerships with Philippines and like-minded countries across this region".
Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said Cleverly's visit "signals strengthening of our bilateral ties in trade, investment, security, maritime cooperation and other fields".
Total two-way annual trade between Britain and Philippines stood at an all-time high of 2.4 billion pounds ($3.03 billion), Cleverly said.
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