Allies to streamline plan in maritime row

MANILA: Military leaders are working to enforce a “one-theatre” concept in both the East and South China seas, the Philippines’ defence minister said, adding that the Southeast Asian country faces threats in disputed waters that are similar to Japan's.

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Japanese newspaper Asahi reported in April that Japanese defence minister Gen Nakatani made a proposal to US Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth to consider the East China Sea, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula and surrounding areas as a single “theatre”, referring to a military area of operation.

Gilberto Teodoro, the Philippines’ Secretary of National Defence, said it was “reasonable” to treat both the East and South China seas as a single area of operation, saying both are maritime areas without any land borders involved.

However, he said the area should exclude the Korean Peninsula.