This developed as China has vowed to oppose the Philippines’ plan to construct facilities on the Spratly Islands which belong to its exclusive economic zone.

While Marcos’s other objective of luring Vietnamese investors to the Philippines, he is also expected to discuss the controversy over the South China Sea claims which China is expected to closely monitor.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Aileen Mendiola-Rau told reporters in a news briefing that specific details of the SCS or West Philippine Sea topic will be taken up during the meeting with key officials of Vietnam.

“If it’s on the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the coast guard, it’s a simple agreement on how both coast guards will cooperate with each other. Now on maritime issues, there’s a gneeral topic on maritime discussion when the President meets the three Vietnamese leaders,” Mendiola-Rau said.

Marcos/ state visit on January 29 and 30 will see him holding meetings with Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

Meanwhile, the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines warned that China’s military will oppose any form of contruction over the Spratlys which China claims to be part of its territorial waters.

“These efforts have undermined China’s legitimate and lawful rigths and interests,” said China’s defense spokesman Wu Qian in a press briefing on January 25.

He said Philippines must “respect history, recognize reality and do not go further down the wrong path.”

Philippines has been ignoring warnings as its right over the areas disputed has been upheld by the international arbitral tribunal that adjudicated the Philippines cases agains China.