China’s blackmail pushes US allies into ancient protection treaty

Two of America’s allies in Asia signed a historic bilateral defense agreement on Monday, allowing the entry and deployment of more troops amid shared concerns about China’s ambitions in the East and South China Seas.

The Reciprocal Accession Undertaking (RAA), signed in Manila, the capital of the Philippines, between Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and Philippines’ Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro provides a legal framework for both countries to deploy military workforce at each opportunity for training exercises . Routine and joint operations.

Under the term, Japan will be able to participate as a full member in the once-a-year Balikatan exercises between the United States and the Philippines, which is the United States’ oldest treaty within the patch. On this occasion, Japan’s Self-Protection Force has participated in the exercise as an eyewitness.

Recently, the Philippine coast blockade has repeatedly clashed with its Chinese counterpart in the disputed waters of the South China Sea. At the same time, in the East China Sea, Japan has attacked Chinese coast blockade ships in its territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands. Beijing is accused of violating the Diaoyu Islands.

Their territorial disputes with China, and Beijing’s firm conduct in the patch, have brought Manila and Tokyo closer together to deepen security cooperation and build on their shared wartime history, with the Philippines having previously been a protectorate of Japan from 1942–1945. Was in possession. ,

Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has adopted his country’s mutual defense treaty with the US, described the defense agreement as “very important” in a meeting with Kamikawa and Japan’s Defense Minister Minoru Kihara.

Japan’s Ministry of International Affairs noted in a press release: “As the security environment in the region continues to worsen, the signing of this important security-related agreement with the Philippines… will strengthen security and defense cooperation between the two countries.” Will promote and strongly support peace.” Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing on Monday that cooperation between the countries should not “target or harm” the interests of third parties. Patch no longer wants a “military faction,” he said.

China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond. newsweek Email wanting comments.

The Philippines has become the third country and first Asian community to seek reciprocal access to trade with Japan, followed by Australia in 2022 and the UK in 2023. Tokyo and Manila confirmed the launch of RAA negotiations last November.

On Twitter (first on Twitter), Rahm Emanuel, the US chief envoy to Tokyo and an outspoken critic of China, praised the historic action, which he noted “boosts our collective deterrence and commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific “

Japan took over its occupation policy in 2014 and in recent times has transferred large amounts of military equipment to the Philippines to support the country’s ability to police its maritime zone.

The Philippine Coast Barricade has established a bundled provider of Japan-supplied patrol vessels since 2016, formally classifying them as multi-role response vessels. Two months earlier, Japan had extended a low-interest loan to the Philippines for the purchase of five supplemental Eastern Patrol ships.

In 2018, the eastern government delivered 5 TC-90 turboprop aircraft to the Philippines for maritime patrol activities. As of this April, Philippine air pressure has received two of the four cellular radar methods promised by Japan, in essence providing Manila with real-time situational awareness and early threat characteristics.