Philippines Signs Military Pact With France Amid South China Sea Tensions

The landmark military deal with a European ally comes as Manila expands its military ties with partners amid tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.

A Philippine flag flutters next to navy ships anchored at the Philippine-occupied Thitu island in the disputed South China Sea, on April 21, 2023.Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images

Manila and Paris have signed a visiting forces agreement that will allow their militaries to conduct joint operations in each other’s territories, marking the first such partnership the Philippines has signed with a European ally.

Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr. and French Minister of the Armed Forces Catherine Vautrin signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOFVA) on March 26 at the military academy in Paris, according to a statement from the Philippine Department of National Defense.