Latest news with #StatusofVisitingForcesAgreement
Asahi Shimbun
01-05-2025
- Business
- Asahi Shimbun
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand to widen alliances while facing an assertive China
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., center, poses for a photo with New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, left, and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro after signing the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) at the Malacanang Palace in Manila, April 30, 2025. (Pool Photo via AP) MANILA--The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand Wednesday, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances as it faces an increasingly aggressive China in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. The treaty sets the legal framework to allow military engagements of both countries, including joint drills in each other's territory and other cooperative activities. It has been approved by New Zealand officials but still needs to be ratified by the Philippine Senate for it to take effect. China has frowned on the security alliances being pursued by the Philippines, one of the staunchest allies of the United States in Asia, under Marcos. When the Philippines signed a similar agreement with Japan in July, China's Foreign Ministry said the region did not need 'military blocs, let alone small groupings that instigate bloc confrontations or a new Cold War.' Philippine officials said then that China has no business meddling with their domestic affairs. 'These partnerships have become very important in the face of all that is happening,' Marcos said during Wednesday's ceremony. Ahead of the signing, Collins said in a statement that 'we are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order.' Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview last month that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. China's hostile actions, Teodoro said, should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. It has used water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine coast guard and fisheries vessels in the disputed waters, causing collisions and injuries on a number of occasions. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, but territorial confrontations have particularly flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the U.S. and Australia, which has been participating in large-scale combat exercises between American and Filipino forces that include live-fire exercises in or near the South China Sea and in northern Philippine islands just a sea border away from southern Taiwan. The agreement signed with Japan has been ratified by the Philippine Senate and is expected to be approved by the Japanese legislature in the next few months. Canada and the Philippines have also concluded talks for such a pact, which is expected to be signed 'very soon,' Teodoro said in a news conference with Collins. French and Philippine officials have been separately holding initial talks also for a visiting forces agreement ahead of formal negotiations.
1News
01-05-2025
- Politics
- 1News
Philippines signs military pact with NZ
The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances as it faces an increasingly aggressive China in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and his New Zealand counterpart, Defence Minister Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. The treaty sets the legal framework to allow military engagements of both countries, including joint drills in each other's territory and other cooperative activities. It has been approved by New Zealand officials but still needs to be ratified by the Philippine Senate for it to take effect. China has frowned on the security alliances being pursued by the Philippines, one of the staunchest allies of the United States in Asia, under Marcos. When the Philippines signed a similar agreement with Japan in July, China's Foreign Ministry said the region did not need "military blocs, let alone small groupings that instigate bloc confrontations or a new Cold War". Philippine officials said then that China has no business meddling with their domestic affairs. "These partnerships have become very important in the face of all that is happening," Marcos said during Wednesday's (local time) ceremony. Ahead of the signing, Collins said in a statement that "we are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order". Teodoro told The Associated Press in an interview last month that the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. China's hostile actions, Teodoro said, should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. It has used water cannons and dangerous blocking maneuvers against Philippine coast guard and fisheries vessels in the disputed waters, causing collisions and injuries on a number of occasions. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, but territorial confrontations have particularly flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the US and Australia, which has been participating in large-scale combat exercises between American and Filipino forces that include live-fire exercises in or near the South China Sea and in northern Philippine islands just a sea border away from southern Taiwan. The agreement signed with Japan has been ratified by the Philippine Senate and is expected to be approved by the Japanese legislature in the next few months. Canada and the Philippines have also concluded talks for such a pact, which is expected to be signed "very soon," Teodoro said in a news conference with Collins. French and Philippine officials have been separately holding initial talks also for a visiting forces agreement ahead of formal negotiations.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
New Zealand and Philippines defence pact to counter China's influence in South China Sea
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Zealand and the Philippines signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) on April 30 amid rising regional tensions with China. The pact will reinforce a growing network of security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and allow troops from each nation to train and operate on the other's Zealand Defence Minister Judith Collins and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. formalised the deal at Manila's Malacañang Palace, with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in said the agreement reflects a shared concern over 'the risks to the international rules-based order.' She added, 'As our prime minister has said, New Zealand looks to protect and advance our interests in the Indo-Pacific, and we can only do so alongside partners'.In his briefing, Teodoro mentioned the need to uphold international law in the South China Sea, where Beijing's 'Nine-Dash Line' claim overlaps with Philippine maritime zones. He hit out at China, saying, 'There are those who follow international law, and there are those who want to redefine it.'The new agreement adds up to Manila's existing pacts with the United States, Australia, and Japan and precedes a similar deal with Canada expected 'very soon,' Teodoro added. Together, these accords enable joint exercises, training exchanges, and mutual logistics support to enhance deterrence against any 'unwanted behaviour' at New Zealand, the SOVFA marks a step forward in Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's broader plan to 'pull their weight' in regional security. Luxon in early April 2025 announced NZ$9 billion in defence upgrades over four years, to lift military spending to 2 per cent of GDP within eight years. Analysts say the pact will help diversify Wellington's alliances beyond its traditional trade ties with maritime drills continue in the South China Sea—including recent exercises with the US, Japan, and Australia—the Philippines and New Zealand will begin 'military-to-military training' under the SOVFA's framework. Both governments view these agreements as essential for regional stability and freedom of navigation against growing Chinese power projection.
Perth Now
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand
The Philippines and New Zealand have signed a military pact, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances as it faces an increasingly aggressive China in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement. The treaty sets the legal framework to allow military engagements of both nations, including joint drills in each other's territory and other co-operative activities. It has been approved by New Zealand officials, but still needs to be ratified by the Philippine Senate for it to take effect. China has frowned on the security alliances being pursued by the Philippines, one of the staunchest allies of the United States in Asia, under Marcos. When the Philippines signed a similar agreement with Japan in July, China's Foreign Ministry said the region did not need "military blocs, let alone small groupings that instigate bloc confrontations or a new Cold War." Philippine officials said then that China has no business meddling with their domestic affairs. "These partnerships have become very important in the face of all that is happening," Marcos said during Wednesday's ceremony. Ahead of the signing, Collins said in a statement that "we are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order." Teodoro told The Associated Press last month the Philippines would continue to build security alliances with other friendly countries to deter China's aggression. China's hostile actions, Teodoro said, should be regarded as a global threat because they could eventually restrict movement in the South China Sea, a key global trade route crucial for global supply chains. China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and has deployed coast guard and navy fleets and suspected militia ships to guard what it says is its territory and airspace. It has used water cannons and dangerous blocking manoeuvres against Philippine coast guard and fisheries vessels in the disputed waters, causing collisions and injuries on a number of occasions. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also lay claims that clash with China's, but territorial confrontations have particularly flared between Beijing and Manila in the last two years. The Philippines has visiting forces agreements with the US and Australia, which has been participating in large-scale combat exercises between American and Filipino forces that include live-fire exercises in or near the South China Sea and in northern Philippine islands just a sea border away from southern Taiwan.
Nikkei Asia
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Philippines signs military pact with New Zealand
MANILA (AP) -- The Philippines signed a military pact with New Zealand on Wednesday, allowing their forces to hold joint exercises as Manila continues to build security alliances in reaction to China becoming increasingly aggressive in the disputed South China Sea. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony in Manila, where Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr and and his New Zealand counterpart, Judith Collins, inked the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.
