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Philippines, France Sign Military Pact Amid South China Sea Tensions
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 27, 2026
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The Philippines and France signed a Visiting Forces Agreement on March 26, 2026, enabling joint military training amid growing South China Sea tensions. The pact bolsters bilateral defence cooperation and legal safeguards, while responding to rising maritime incidents involving China.
Philippines and France Sign Military Pact to Bolster Defence Amid Rising South China Sea Tensions
Landmark Defence Agreement and Regional Security Context
Details of the Visiting Forces Agreement
MANILA, March 27 (Reuters) - The Philippines and France have signed a visiting forces agreement that would allow them to conduct joint military training in each other's territory, as Manila expands defence ties amid rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.
Key Figures and Signing Ceremony
Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro and French Minister for the Armed Forces and Veterans Catherine Vautrin signed the agreement on March 26 during a meeting in Paris, where they discussed regional security challenges and reaffirmed support for rules-based international order.
Commitment to Peaceful Resolution and Supply Chain Resilience
The two also called for "the peaceful resolution of disputes" and the need to strengthen supply chain resilience in times of crisis.
Implications for Bilateral and Regional Defence Cooperation
Legal Protections and Joint Activities
"The agreement will greatly bolster bilateral cooperation and offer an adequate level of legal protection to the joint activities between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the French Armed Forces," the Philippine defence department said in a statement.
Other Visiting Forces Agreements
Aside from France, the Philippines also has the visiting forces agreements with the U.S., Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
Rising Tensions in the South China Sea
Recent Incident Near Thitu Island
Manila's signing of the landmark military deal with Paris came a day after the Philippine military said a Chinese missile frigate "executed an unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre" against a Philippine Navy vessel conducting maritime operation near Thitu Island, one of Manila's key outposts in the disputed sea.
China's Claims and International Response
Strategic Importance of the South China Sea
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea, a strategic waterway where more than $3 trillion of trade passes annually.
Legal Disputes and Rejection of 2016 Ruling
The Asian economic and military giant has repeatedly refused to recognise a 2016 landmark ruling that invalidated its claim in the entire waterway.
(Reporting by Nestor Corrales; Editing by Michael Perry)
Key Takeaways
- •A Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and France was formalized, facilitating reciprocal military exercises and reinforcing interoperability and legal frameworks for joint operations
- •The agreement complements existing VFAs with the U.S., Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, showcasing Manila’s strategy to diversify defence partnerships amid disputes with Beijing
- •The deal follows heightened tensions: a Chinese missile frigate recently performed an “unsafe and unprofessional manoeuvre” near Thitu Island, underscoring the urgency for strengthened multilateral deterrence
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Philippines, France sign military pact amid South China Sea tensions
1What agreement did the Philippines and France sign?
They signed a visiting forces agreement to allow joint military training in each other's territories.
2Why did the Philippines and France sign this military pact?
The agreement aims to expand defence ties and enhance cooperation amid increasing tensions with China in the South China Sea.
