TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — China reacted angrily to the signing of a security pact between Japan and the Philippines earlier this week on Monday (July 8).
The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), signed by defense ministers and foreign ministers of both countries, will allow troops from Japan and the Philippines to enter each other’s territory for training purposes, reported Philstar. China has criticized the agreement, claiming it will foment further conflict in the South China Sea and that Japan and the Philippines are serving the interests of the U.S.
The RAA was negotiated in record time—only eight months—compared to Manila’s previous RAA agreements with the United Kingdom and Australia, which took five and seven years, respectively. Rappler reported that Tokyo was much more eager to sign the agreement than Manila, but the latter was receptive and willing to negotiate on an expedited time frame due to China’s increasingly aggressive behavior towards Philippine soldiers and fishermen in the South China Sea.
The RAA signed between Tokyo and Manila this week must still receive approval from both country’s legislatures before it goes into effect. In addition to allowing military forces to cooperate in training exercises, the RAA also covers regulations for transporting weapons, ammunition, and other military equipment between the countries.
Following the signing of the agreement, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, Lin Jian (林劍), warned other countries against forming military blocs in the region and moving it towards a “new Cold War.” Lin also used the opportunity to criticize Japan’s previous military aggression and occupation in Southeast Asia, with multiple Chinese media outlets following suit with the claim that the new agreement will promote historical revisionism surrounding Japan’s legacy in the region.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa has called the RAA “essential for regional peace and prosperity. In response to China’s criticism, Hayashi said the agreement is not intended to target any specific country but will contribute to maintaining and strengthening a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the international rules-based order, per NHK.
On Wednesday (July 10), leaders of the Philippines House of Representatives lauded the agreement with Japan, with some saying it will likely serve as a framework for similar agreements with other nations in the future. Manila is reportedly in the process of pursuing a defense cooperation agreement with France, per PNA.
