Manila, Philippines – Canada and the Philippines, critics with no voice of China in the disputed South China Sea have negotiated one for one Chief defense agreement It will allow their forces to accelerate a joint combat exercise and defense engagement, the National Defense Department in Manila said on Friday.
Canada and other Western countries are strengthening their military presence in India-Pacific to promote the rule of law and to help expand trade and investment in this area.
With the efforts of the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. it dowattles Comprehensive defense relations With friendly countries to promote its country’s defense, it faces more and more steadfast China in the disputed South China Sea.
The Philippines Defense Department said that the contract with Canada “would establish a structure for increasing cooperation, promote Ga Closer cooperation between defense and military stations, improve intercourse between forces and facilitate more effective joint exercises and capacity construction exercises.”
The western Philippines are expected to allow major joint exercises, including the South China Sea.
No date was mentioned to sign the contract, but a Philippines official said it could happen early in the next few months.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Todoro told the Associated Press in an interview on Wednesday that the Philippines would continue to create security connections with other friendly countries to prevent China’s invasion.
Taodoro said that China’s adverse actions Global danger Because they can eventually restrict the movement in the South China Sea, the crucial global trade route for the global supply chain.
The forces with the United States and Australia Stralia in the Philippines are a visit to the contract that provides a legal structure for a temporary visit by foreign soldiers and large -scale combat exercises.
The Philippines signed the same With Japan It is expected to be ratified by Japanese legislators in July by mid-years. Negotiations with New Zealand have also been recently concluded. France To a similar explanation.
Philippines officials may demand an agreement with the forces visiting other countries, including Germany, India and Singapore, said Tedoro.
China claims Virtually the entire South China Sea and Coast Guard and Navy fleet and suspected military ships have been deployed to protect its field and air. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Taiwan also claim that China will collide with, and Regional confrontation In the last two years, Beijing and Manila have flashed.
In August Gust, Canada joined the air and naval maneuver in the United States, Australia Strallia and the Philippines to promote law rule and uncertain passage in the South China Sea.
China said it had patrolling air and sea battles on the same day. Although no confrontation was reported, the Philippines army said that three Chinese naval ships have tailored four-nation maneuvers.
Last month, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman in Manila said his country would “raise voices in the South China Sea and the People’s Republic of China’s provocative and illegal actions in the Western Filippine Sea” and “to do so.”
Canada signed an agreement on defense cooperation with the Philippines last year. The Philippines signed the data of Canada’s “Dark Vessel Detection System” in another signed signed in Ottawa in 2023.
The Philippine Coast Guard has used a hi -tech Canadian technology to track the Chinese Coast Guard ships and fishing ships in the South China Sea.
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