Philippine and Chinese coast guard personnel deploy fenders as they brace for a collision during an incident Tuesday, as Philippine ships conducted a routine resupply mission to troops stationed at the Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea. The Philippines has been striking new defense agreements with other countries at a rapid clip, seeking to build what officials here call a “network of alliances” that could deter Chinese aggression in disputed waters.
“Given that we are the underdog, we leverage our relationships with other countries,” said Jonathan Malaya, assistant director of the country’s National Security Council. “Our network of alliances is critical.”China claims much of the South China Sea, part of the Pacific Ocean that is bounded by China, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei.
Japan is negotiating a reciprocal access agreement with the Philippines that would allow the militaries of both countries to conduct joint training and exercises, similar to thethat the Philippines has with the United States. Diplomats from Canada and France said their countries are considering similar arrangements.
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