A Vietnamese coast guard ship arrived in the Philippine capital of Manila on Monday for a first-ever joint coast guard exercise. The two countries aim to strengthen maritime cooperation amid China's growing presence in the South China Sea.

The Vietnam Coast Guard vessel, welcomed with a ceremony on Monday, will stay in the Philippines until Friday for joint search and rescue drills.

In January, the two nations agreed to boost maritime cooperation when Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Hanoi.

A Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson stressed the importance of the joint exercises, which are being carried out despite a territorial dispute between the two nations in the area.

He also said this is important because the exercises show that two countries with a dispute in the South China Sea can come to an agreement and build partnership.

In July, the foreign ministers of the Philippines and China met for the first time in two years to discuss their maritime disagreement, and reached a deal to de-escalate tensions.

Observers say the Philippines aims to strengthen ties with Vietnam, which is also at odds with China over sovereignty in the South China Sea. Beijing claims almost all of the area.