On Monday, New Zealand and the Philippines officially inked a pact aimed at strengthening their bilateral defense relations, a move occurring amidst escalating tensions in the contested South China Sea.

The agreement, termed as a mutual logistics support arrangement, was hailed by Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo as a significant step forward, expected to bolster future military collaborations between the two nations.

Under this pact, both parties can provide logistical assistance during various activities such as joint exercises, training sessions, deployments, and other determined exigencies.

The signing ceremony took place following discussions between Manalo and his New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters in Manila.

Once ratified, this arrangement will facilitate military visits between the two countries’ territories. According to a joint statement, Peters and Manalo discussed regional matters, particularly focusing on the complexities surrounding the South China Sea.

They concurred on the pivotal role of maritime security and adherence to international law in maintaining peace and fostering prosperity in the region.

The formalization of this mutual logistics support arrangement comes at a time when the Philippines and China are embroiled in disputes over territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea.