The Philippines and Japan vowed Wednesday to strengthen security cooperation to counter China's actions in key sea trade routes, amid speculation incoming US President Donald Trump could scale back security commitments in Asia.

The Philippines, United States and Japan vowed to enhance and deepen trilateral ties between their countries, Manila said on Monday following a meeting between their leaders. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The Philippines, United States, and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to deepen trilateral cooperation, particularly in economic, maritime, and

Japan, the Philippines and the United States vowed to further deepen cooperation under a trilateral arrangement in the face of rising tensions in Asia's waters, the three countries said following a call among their leaders.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden met virtually on Monday morning Asian time. Marcos' communications office said the leaders "agreed to enhance and deepen economic, maritime and technology cooperation."

The Philippines has initiated a significant move to strengthen its coastal defense by installing Japanese-supplied radar systems which threatened China near the Batanes islands. These islands, located less than 200 kilometers from Taiwan,