Philippines and Germany commit to reaching defence pact this year

MANILA (Reuters) -- The Philippines and Germany on Sunday committed to signing a defence cooperation arrangement this year, vowing to uphold international rules-based order in the region as tensions flare over disputed areas of the South China Sea.

China and the Philippines have traded accusations in recent months over clashes in the South China Sea, including charges China intentionally rammed Manila's navy boats, seriously injuring a Filipino sailor. Beijing has disputed this, saying its actions were lawful and professional.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro committed to establishing long-term relations between their armed forces to expand training and bilateral exchanges, explore opportunities to expand bilateral armaments cooperation and engage in joint projects.

The meeting in Manila was the first such visit by a German defence minister, as their countries mark 70 years of diplomatic relations.

China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, including areas claimed as exclusive economic zones by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague said Beijing's claims had no legal basis. China rejects that decision.

"This ruling remains valid, without any exceptions," said Pistorius. "It is our obligation to strengthen the maritime border and we are living up to it."

China's foreign affairs ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Teodoro said the Philippines, seeking to modernise its military to boost external defence, will be "looking to engage Germany as a possible supplier of these capabilities."

"These are in the command and control, anti-access aerial denial, maritime