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As well as strengthening defence ties, Beijing and Manila also discussed further cooperation to fight terrorism and extremism. Photo: Reuters

Beijing and Manila agree to boost military ties as China tries to mend fences

Defence ministers make pledge on sidelines of Asean security meeting

Asean

China and the Philippines agreed on Thursday to broaden defence and military engagement, as Beijing tries to mend fences and extend its presence in Southeast Asia.

The pledge by China’s defence minister Chang Wanquan and his Philippine counterpart Delfin Lorenzana on the sidelines of a regional meeting at Camp Aguinaldo came after China provided guns and ammunition to the Philippines to fight terrorism and for its anti-drug operations.

“China seeks to enhance strategic mutual trust with the Philippines, properly handle differences and push for sustained and healthy relationships between our two countries, as we are neighbours,” state-run Xinhua quoted Chang as saying.

China is poised to boost defence ties with Southeast Asian nations in the coming months. At the same Asean security meeting this week, Chang and his Singaporean counterpart, Ng Eng Hen, agreed to push for the first maritime exercise between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Details of the exercise are not finalised, but Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman for China’s defence ministry, said discussions were under way for its preparations.

“By the end of the year, we will conduct technical consultations to hold this joint exercise, and hold the joint maritime exercises at the appropriate time,” he said. “The next step is for China’s navy to continue deepening its friendly exchanges and cooperation with the other naval forces in the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, promoting regional multilateral security dialogue and mechanisms, and jointly safeguarding regional peace and stability.”

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (left) with Chinese defence minister Chang Wanquan in Manila on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

Philippine defence spokesman Arsenio Andolong was quoted by The Philippine Star as saying that both Beijing and Manila welcomed an easing of tensions through “careful management” of the South China Sea dispute.

The two sides had discussed further cooperation to fight terrorism and extremism, he said.

China has been at odds with Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines over the South China Sea, where Beijing lays claim to 90 per cent of the energy-rich waters. China recently set up a maritime rescue squadron for the South Sea Fleet, which oversees the disputed waters – a move seen as an attempt to improve combat readiness of the Chinese military.

But Beijing and Manila have seen improved relations in recent months, with China throwing its support behind the Philippines’ controversial anti-drug initiatives and assisting in its counterterrorism efforts.

“The relationship between China and the Philippines has gradually taken a positive turn under [Philippine President Rodrigo] Duterte’s administration,” said Hu Zhiyong, a research fellow with the Institute of International Relations at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences. “Duterte has also publicly said that the South China Sea won’t present an obstacle in Sino-Philippine relations.”

China and Asean approved a framework for a code of conduct in the waters in August to pre-empt conflicts, following an agreement to launch a regional hotline last year.

On a bilateral basis, China has also deepened its security engagement with Southeast Asian nations, including through maritime exercises and arms agreements.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Beijing and manila agree to boost military cooperation
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