The Philippines and the United States signed a military intelligence-sharing agreement on Monday, bolstering defense ties amid rising tensions in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.

The Philippines and the United States have strengthened their defense alliance by signing a military intelligence-sharing agreement, aimed at enhancing collaboration and addressing regional security challenges.U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) at Manila’s military headquarters. The ceremony also marked the groundbreaking of a new coordination center designed to enhance collaboration between the two nations’ armed forces.

The GSOMIA allows the secure exchange of classified military information. “Not only will this allow the Philippines access to higher capabilities and big-ticket items from the United States, it will also open opportunities to pursue similar agreements with like-minded nations,” said Arsenio Andolong, spokesperson for the Philippine defense ministry.

Under the leadership of U.S. President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the two nations have deepened their security cooperation, particularly in response to perceived Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and near Taiwan. China’s foreign ministry criticized the agreement, stating that military partnerships “must not be directed against or harm the interests of a third party, and they must not undermine regional peace or exacerbate tensions in the region.”

“The only correct choice for safeguarding one’s own national security and maintaining peace and stability in the region is to adhere to good neighborly relations and to strategic autonomy,” said Lin Jian, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry.

The U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty, established in 1951, could be invoked in the event of an attack on either party, including in the South China Sea. At the ceremony, Austin reaffirmed U.S. commitment to its ally, saying, “I want to start by underscoring our ironclad commitment to the Philippines.” He added that the new coordination center “will be a place where our forces can work side by side to respond to regional challenges.”

The Philippines has expressed optimism about the alliance’s strength. Both countries face increasing tensions with China over the South China Sea, a vital trade route handling over $3 trillion in annual commerce, which Beijing claims almost entirely. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis, siding with the Philippines. However, China rejected the ruling, leading to confrontations that have turned the region into a flashpoint between Washington and Beijing.

“The United States’ presence in the Indo-Pacific region is essential for maintaining peace and stability in this region,” said Teodoro, echoing previous comments from President Marcos.

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