MANILA. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand have pledged to strengthen defense ties and expressed significant apprehension regarding the South China Sea, a region marked by ongoing maritime tensions between the Philippines and China.
The South China Sea, a vital maritime route facilitating over $3 trillion in annual trade, is subject to overlapping territorial claims from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
In a joint statement, Marcos and Luxon underscored the imperative of promoting peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, emphasizing the broader regional security concerns.
During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Luxon revealed plans to upgrade bilateral relations to a “comprehensive partnership” by 2026. Additionally, both nations have committed to finalizing a Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, enabling collaborative military exercises and humanitarian missions.
The agreement signifies a strategic alignment between the Philippines and New Zealand, aimed at bolstering security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region amidst escalating tensions.
The move reflects a growing consensus among regional powers to address maritime disputes and uphold international norms governing freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
Carlo Juancho FuntanillaFrontend Developer, WordPress, Shopify
Contributing Editor
AMA ACLC San Pablo
