Japan and the Philippines have agreed to further deepen their defense collaborations and start talks on an arrangement to protect shared military information in the face of mutual alarm over China’s increasing aggressive actions in the region.

Tokyo, Manila to establish ‘strategic dialogue,’ move toward defense equipment, technology cooperation - Anadolu Ajansı

Japanese and Philippine defence chiefs agree to launch ‘strategic dialogue’ amid concerns over China’s moves in region.

France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and accompanying warships were in the Philippines on Sunday after holding combat drills with Philippine forces in the disputed South China Sea in a show of firepower that would likely antagonize China.