Philippines and New Zealand Strengthen Defense Ties Amid South China Sea Tensions

In a significant step toward bolstering regional security, the Philippines and New Zealand are poised to sign a landmark defense agreement this week, paving the way for joint military exercises and enhanced cooperation. The pact, known as the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), comes at a time of heightened tensions in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has increasingly sought to fortify its alliances to counterbalance China’s assertive maritime claims.

A Framework for Military Collaboration

The agreement, set to be formalized in Manila, will establish a legal framework for military engagements between the two nations. New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins, who arrived in the Philippines on Monday to sign the pact alongside her counterpart, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., emphasized its importance in a recent statement. “It formally sets the legal framework for engagement between our respective militaries, better facilitating ongoing cooperation, activities, and exercises in each of our territories” she said.

Negotiations for the SOVFA were concluded on February 18, remarkably swift progress following the initiation of talks less than a month prior. This rapid timeline reflects a shared urgency to deepen security ties amid a shifting geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. The agreement will allow for reciprocal visits by military personnel, joint training exercises, and other collaborative activities aimed at enhancing interoperability and readiness.

Strategic Context: South China Sea Tensions

The timing of this defense pact is no coincidence. The Philippines has been at the forefront of maritime disputes with China in the South China Sea, a vital waterway through which trillions of dollars in trade pass annually. Manila has accused Beijing of aggressive tactics, including the use of coast guard vessels and fishing militias to assert control over disputed reefs and shoals within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. Incidents such as the blocking of Filipino fishing boats and supply missions to outposts like the Second Thomas Shoal have escalated tensions in recent years.

For the Philippines, strengthening security partnerships has become a cornerstone of its foreign policy under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Since taking office, Marcos has sought to diversify alliances beyond the traditional reliance on the United States, engaging with countries like Australia, Japan, and now New Zealand. This latest agreement with Wellington underscores Manila’s intent to build a network of like-minded partners committed to upholding international maritime law, particularly the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea—a ruling Beijing has consistently rejected.

New Zealand’s Role in Regional Stability

While New Zealand is not a direct claimant in the South China Sea disputes, it has a vested interest in maintaining a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. Defense Minister Collins reiterated this commitment, stating, “We are committed to reinvigorating our security relationships, to playing our part, and working with regional partners such as the Philippines to uphold the international rules-based order” she said. This stance aligns with Wellington’s broader foreign policy, which emphasizes multilateral cooperation and stability in the region.

New Zealand’s involvement also reflects a growing recognition of the interconnected nature of security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. Although geographically distant from the South China Sea, Wellington has increasingly engaged with Southeast Asian nations through forums like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and bilateral agreements. The SOVFA with the Philippines marks a tangible step in translating diplomatic rhetoric into actionable military collaboration.

Broader Implications for Regional Security

The Philippines-New Zealand defense pact is likely to be viewed with interest—and possibly concern—by other regional players. For ASEAN member states, particularly those with overlapping claims in the South China Sea like Vietnam and Malaysia, the agreement could signal a model for small and medium-sized powers to band together in support of international norms. It may also encourage other nations outside the immediate region to take a more active role in countering China’s maritime assertiveness through non-confrontational means such as joint exercises and capacity-building initiatives.

At the same time, Beijing is unlikely to welcome this development. Chinese state media and officials have often criticized foreign involvement in the South China Sea as interference in what they describe as a regional issue. While the Philippines-New Zealand pact does not explicitly target China, its focus on security cooperation and the rules-based order carries an implicit critique of Beijing’s actions. If tensions escalate further, such agreements could lay the groundwork for broader coalitions aimed at deterring unilateral moves in disputed waters.

Domestic Perspectives and Challenges

Within the Philippines, the defense pact is expected to receive broad support, particularly among policymakers and military officials who view international partnerships as essential to national security. Public sentiment, however, may be more mixed. While many Filipinos are frustrated with China’s actions in the West Philippine Sea—the local term for the portion of the South China Sea within Manila’s jurisdiction—there is also lingering skepticism about foreign military presence, a legacy of the country’s colonial history and past experiences with US bases.

For New Zealand, the agreement represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity to expand its diplomatic footprint in Southeast Asia. Domestic support for such engagements is generally strong, as they align with Wellington’s image as a responsible global citizen. However, the government will need to balance this commitment with other regional priorities, including its economic ties with China, which remains a major trading partner.

Looking Ahead: A Test for Small-Power Diplomacy

The signing of the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and New Zealand is more than a bilateral achievement; it is a test case for how smaller nations can navigate the complex power dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. By focusing on practical cooperation rather than provocative posturing, both countries are demonstrating that security partnerships need not be zero-sum. Joint exercises and exchanges under the SOVFA could enhance their collective ability to respond to shared challenges, from maritime security to disaster response—a critical concern in a region prone to typhoons and other natural calamities.

Yet, the effectiveness of this pact will depend on sustained political will and resources. For the Philippines, integrating new partnerships into its broader defense strategy without overextending its military capacity will be key. For New Zealand, maintaining a consistent presence in Southeast Asia amid competing domestic and international demands will require careful prioritization.

As the ink dries on this agreement, the broader question looms: can such collaborations meaningfully influence the trajectory of regional stability in the face of great-power competition? While the Philippines and New Zealand alone may not shift the balance, their partnership adds a vital thread to the fabric of collective security in the Indo-Pacific. For now, stakeholders on all sides will be watching closely to see how this pact translates from paper to practice.