Canada, Philippines in talks for joint exercises in South China Sea

Canada and the Philippines are in the final stages of negotiating a key defense pact that would allow their forces to hold larger military drills in the South China Sea, where Ottawa has rejected China's "provocative and unlawful actions," the Canadian ambassador to Manila said.

- AP

MANILA:

Canada has been reinforcing its military presence in the Indo-Pacific region and has committed to help promote the rule of law and expand trade and investment.

That dovetails with Philippine efforts under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to broaden defense ties with friendly countries to bolster his country's external defense as it faces an increasingly assertive China in the disputed waters.