In a move to enhance military cooperation, the Philippines and New Zealand established a defense agreement on Wednesday, enabling joint military exercises. This comes as the Philippines seeks to fortify alliances in response to the growing assertiveness of China in the contested waters of the South China Sea.
The signing ceremony took place in Manila with the presence of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and New Zealand’s Defense Minister, Judith Collins, formalized the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, which outlines the terms for military collaboration and exercises between the two nations. While New Zealand has approved the agreement, it still requires ratification by the Philippine Senate.
This development follows China’s disapproval of the Philippines’ strategy of forming military partnerships. China, a dominant power in Asia, has voiced opposition to such alliances, particularly after a similar agreement was signed between the Philippines and Japan in July. At that time, China’s Foreign Ministry criticized military coalitions, suggesting they could provoke confrontations reminiscent of the Cold War.
However, Philippine officials firmly asserted their sovereignty, emphasizing that China should not interfere in their internal matters. During the ceremony, President Marcos highlighted the significance of these alliances amidst regional tensions.
Prior to the agreement’s signing, Minister Collins emphasized the shared commitment to reinforcing security alliances with regional partners like the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order. This sentiment was echoed by Secretary Teodoro, who, in a previous interview, affirmed the Philippines’ intent to strengthen security ties with friendly nations as a counterbalance to China’s aggressive stance.
Teodoro underscored that China’s hostile actions pose a global threat as they have the potential to disrupt the South China Sea, a vital sea route for global trade. China’s extensive territorial claims in the South China Sea have led to numerous confrontations, including incidents involving water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels.
In addition to New Zealand, the Philippines maintains visiting forces agreements with several other nations, including the United States and Australia. These agreements facilitate large-scale combat exercises, some of which are in proximity to Taiwan. Furthermore, the Philippines recently ratified an agreement with Japan, and approval from Japan’s legislature is anticipated soon.
Moreover, the Philippines and Canada are nearing the finalization of a similar military pact, with signing expected shortly. Talks with French officials have also commenced as the Philippines seeks further collaborations through visiting forces agreements.