The Philippines has announced it plans to boost defense cooperation with New Zealand amid rising tensions between Manila and Beijing in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met in Manila on Thursday.
In a joint news conference, they said the two countries plan to strengthen military cooperation by signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement. The Philippines and New Zealand also agreed to step up the bilateral relationship to a comprehensive partnership by 2026.
Marcos said his country is "delighted to acknowledge the intent of our friends in New Zealand to join our efforts towards a comprehensive maritime security for our regions."
Luxon said the two leaders are committed to stepping up the defense relationship of the two countries' militaries "to be able to work alongside one another in a more frictionless manner."
The Philippines has a long-standing territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea. China has been holding meetings with Southeast Asian nations this month to strengthen relationships with these countries.
The Philippines, the United States and Japan agreed to strengthen maritime security cooperation in the South China Sea at their summit in Washington last week.
The Philippines apparently hopes to counter China by stepping up cooperation with democratic nations.