Germany and the Philippines have reached an agreement to expedite a defense agreement, paving the way for joint military training and potential German weapons sales. This move comes amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea, with the Philippines’ defense chief attributing the escalating conflicts to China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed waters.
The agreement, finalized during the commemoration of 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, reflects a shared commitment to address security challenges in the region. Both nations expressed their interest in establishing long-term relationships between their armed forces, expanding defense training programs, engaging in bilateral exchanges, and collaborating on joint projects.
Recent months have witnessed a surge in tensions between Beijing and Manila, stemming from numerous altercations in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. In June, Manila accused China of ramming its navy vessels during a resupply mission at the Second Thomas Shoal, resulting in injuries to Filipino sailors.
Taiwan, another nation facing China’s expansionist claims, has also reported numerous interventions by Chinese aircraft in its airspace in July. China asserts its authority over the majority of the South China Sea, despite a 2016 decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague declaring that Beijing’s claims lack legal basis. This decision, based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), was rejected by China.
During a press conference, Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana stated, “There is only one cause of conflict in the South China Sea… It is China’s illegal and unilateral attempt to appropriate most, if not all, of the South China Sea as their internal waters. The Philippines is not provoking China. We do not seek war, yet we are mandated not only by our constitution but as an obligation to our countrymen to protect whatever areas, whether be jurisdiction or rights, that rightfully belong to the exclusive benefit of Filipinos.”
The agreement between Manila and Berlin follows closely on the heels of the US’s announcement of USD 500 million in military funding for the modernization of the Philippine army. The visit by German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht to the Philippines marks the first organized trip by a German defense minister, according to Arab News.
China claims sovereignty over the majority of the South China Sea, including areas claimed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia as their exclusive economic zones. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled against China’s claims, stating they lacked legal basis. China, however, rejects this decision. The South China Sea is a vital trade route, with over $3 trillion in ship-borne trade passing through it annually.
