- Beijing says defense cooperation should not harm third parties or undermine regional peace.
- Manila and Ottawa signed a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement to expand joint military drills.
China on Monday cautioned that defense cooperation between nations should not be directed against any third party, after the Philippines and Canada signed a new military pact aimed at deepening joint operations in the Asia-Pacific.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters that Beijing has “always held the view that defense and security cooperation between countries should not target any third party or harm the interests of third parties.” She added that “showing off military strength and provoking confrontation are not conducive to regional peace and stability.”
Her remarks followed the announcement of a new defense agreement between Manila and Ottawa, signed Sunday by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty. The pact, known as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), provides the legal framework for each nation’s troops to participate in joint training and military exercises on the other’s territory.
According to the Philippine Department of Defense, the SOVFA will also enhance coordination during humanitarian and disaster response operations. In a joint statement, both defense leaders emphasized the shared goal of promoting stability and maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
Teodoro, who has frequently criticized Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, described the agreement as “vital” for maintaining international law and freedom of navigation. “Who is hegemonic? Who wants to expand their territory in the world? China,” he told reporters after the signing ceremony.
McGuinty said the partnership would deepen interoperability and strengthen regional cooperation, particularly in responding to natural disasters—a common threat to many countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
The deal closely mirrors other agreements Manila has reached with the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, signaling a broadening network of Western-aligned defense partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. The Philippines has hosted a growing number of foreign troops for joint drills and maritime patrols, many of which have taken place near the contested South China Sea.
For Manila and its allies, the agreement with Canada adds another layer of deterrence and cooperation amid rising tensions with China. For Beijing, it represents yet another sign of what it views as Western encirclement and interference in regional affairs.