The Philippines and Canada have wrapped up negotiations for their Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), setting the stage for the formal signing of the deal that will allow the deployment of Canadian troops to the Philippines.

France, Australia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand—following Washington’s lead—have each staged war games or concluded alliances with Manila targeting China.

After reports emerged in January that Chinese warships tracked a Canadian navy vessel passing through the disputed South China Sea, Chinese social media users began sharing a picture they falsely claimed shows the incident.

The Philippine defense secretary says his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.

Whatever happens in the near term, it is obvious that there is a serious arms race occurring for dominance in the South China Sea.

The Philippine defense secretary said his country and its allies would take measures to counter any attempt by China to impose an air defense zone or restrict freedom of flights over the South China Sea.