The Philippines and Vietnam are set to conduct their first-ever joint coast guard exercise in Manila Bay on August 9, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation amid ongoing territorial disputes in the South China Sea. This collaboration follows agreements signed during Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s state visit to Hanoi in January, focusing on search and rescue, and fire prevention training. The arrival of Vietnam's CSB 8002 ship marks the beginning of a five-day goodwill visit designed to foster mutual understanding and enhance safety measures between the two nations' coast guards. Both countries have overlapping claims in the South China Sea and have faced confrontations with China's coast guard, which claims nearly the entire region. The exercise is viewed as a potential template for de-escalating tensions, as both nations also seek UN recognition for their extended continental shelves. The South China Sea is a crucial trade route, with $3 trillion worth of goods passing through annually, and is believed to contain rich natural resources.