Germany, Philippines sign defence agreement

MANILA (Reuters) - Germany and the Philippines person agreed to heighten defence ties and boost associated activities arsenic Manila builds up a scope of alliances to fortify its presumption successful a longstanding quality with China successful the contested South China Sea.

Philippine defence caput Gilberto Teodoro and German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed an "arrangement concerning defence cooperation" successful Berlin connected Wednesday, agreeing to grow practice to see cyber security, defence armament and logistics and United Nations peacekeeping, Manila's defence ministry announced connected Thursday.

The woody follows a sojourn by Pistorius to Manila past twelvemonth wherever helium and Teodoro committed to boosting semipermanent relations betwixt their militaries.

The Philippines' defence practice statement with Berlin adds to a increasing database of defence deals beyond its accepted state the United States.

Last month, the Philippines signed a defence statement with New Zealand for expanded subject cooperation, and a akin woody with Canada is expected to beryllium signed soon.

A reciprocal entree woody with Japan was ratified successful December, and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has approved the commencement of negotiations with France for a visiting forces agreement.

Beijing claims astir the full South China Sea, a captious commercialized artery, contempt overlapping maritime claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, angering its neighbours.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration successful the Hague said Beijing's claims had nary ineligible basis. China rejects that decision.

Pistorius said successful Manila past August that the "ruling remains valid, without immoderate exceptions".

In September past year, 2 German warships went connected a uncommon transit successful the Indo-Pacific to show Berlin's committedness to state of navigation.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair)