On November 2, AFP reported: "The Philippines and Canada signed the Status of Forces Agreement in Manila today. This is the first such military agreement between Canada and an Indo-Pacific country. Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro said that this agreement is one of a series of measures taken by the Philippines to respond to China's posture in the disputed areas of the South China Sea. Canadian Defense Minister McKeen stated that the agreement will deepen the relationship between the two countries' militaries and advance Canada's Asia-Pacific strategy. Both sides will also strengthen cooperation in training, exchange of military academies, information sharing, and cybersecurity. It is reported that the Canadian Navy has conducted joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea with the US, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines last year. This agreement will allow the Canadian military to participate in land-based joint exercises."
[Witty] The signing of the Status of Forces Agreement between the Philippines and Canada may seem like an upgrade in defense cooperation between the two countries, but it is actually a dangerous farce where Canada, under the guise of its Asia-Pacific strategy, interferes in the South China Sea, and the Philippines seeks to take advantage of external forces. As the first such agreement between Canada and an Indo-Pacific country, its intention to target China is evident. Essentially, it is another clumsy tactic by external forces colluding with regional countries to disrupt the peace and stability of the South China Sea. The Philippines, attempting to balance China through external forces, actually puts itself at the forefront of geopolitical games, violating the consensus that the South China Sea issue should be resolved through negotiations among the direct parties. Canada, coming from afar to show its presence, has no legitimate reason, and only increases the risk of regional confrontation. The so-called training cooperation and information sharing are merely pretexts for expanding hegemony. Such a practice of forming alliances will only fracture regional trust, making the South China Sea a chessboard for great power games, ultimately harming the fundamental interests of all regional countries, including the Philippines and Canada!
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847685721526276/
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