Around a disputed shoal that Beijing took from Manila in 2012, Filipino and Chinese vessels frequently collide.
In an effort to strengthen their relationship and fend off mounting pressure from China, the Philippines and Japan have approved a crucial defense agreement that permits them to station soldiers on each other’s territory.
The United States, which has been fortifying an arc of alliances to thwart China’s contested territorial claims in the Pacific, has long had both nations as allies.
Senate President Francis Escudero announced on Monday that the Philippine Senate had adopted the agreement, which also permits more joint combat exercises, with no abstentions or unfavorable votes.
Before the treaty becomes operative, Tokyo lawmakers must also approve it, according to Japan’s embassy.
“Ratifying the Agreement further affirms the strategic partnership between the two countries and their mutual goal to enhance contribution to regional and international peace, security and stability,” the Senate announced in a statement.
“The Agreement will expand the defense cooperation of the Philippines and Japan in the maritime domain amid shared security challenges.”
After seven months of negotiations, negotiators from both nations completed the agreement in July.
Although Japan invaded the Philippines during World War II, they now share military relations with the United States and are at odds with China more and more.
Despite housing some 54,000 US soldiers, Japan and China are at odds about who owns islands in the East China Sea that Tokyo controls.
Around a disputed shoal that Beijing took from Manila in 2012, Filipino and Chinese vessels frequently collide.
Taiwan has been more and more of a flashpoint between Japan and the Philippines. Beijing has not ruled out using force to support its statements and fully asserts its sovereignty to the self-governing island.
Nearly all of the South China Sea, which is traversed by $5 trillion in trade every year, is claimed by China, which has dismissed an international decision that found its claim to be unfounded.
