![Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. welcomes British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on March 8. [Philippine Presidential Communications Office]](/gc9/images/2025/03/13/49514-ph-uk_1-370_237.webp)
By AFP and Focus |
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned "dangerous and destabilizing" activity by Beijing in the disputed South China Sea on March 10, following a weekend visit to the Philippines.
"We're concerned about dangerous and destabilizing activities by China in this region," Lammy said while aboard a Philippine coast guard vessel.
"The Philippines is at the sharp end of this, facing frequent challenges to freedom of navigation and international law," he said.
During his visit, Lammy met with his Philippine counterpart Enrique Manalo. Officials from both nations signed a joint framework pact covering cooperation in defense, trade, science, technology and climate initiatives.
![British Foreign Secretary David Lammy boards a Philippine Coast Guard vessel in Manila on March 8. [Ben Dance/The British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office]](/gc9/images/2025/03/13/49515-ph-uk_2-370_237.webp)
It also outlines plans for joint military exercises, intelligence sharing and an increased UK naval presence in Philippine waters.
When asked during the Chinese Foreign Ministry's regular press briefing on March 11, ministry spokesperson Mao Ning urged the United Kingdom to "respect China's territorial sovereignty."
Beijing maintains its sweeping claim over nearly the entire South China Sea despite a 2016 international tribunal ruling that such claims have no legal basis.
Growing ties
The United Kingdom is among a growing number of nations reinforcing ties with Manila.
France recently agreed to supply 40 fast patrol craft to the Philippine Coast Guard, with plans to deploy some in disputed South China Sea areas.
Japanese Defense Minister Motomu Nakatani visited Manila in February to boost Tokyo-Manila cooperation, including provision of new military equipment to the Philippines, reciprocal military access and joint training exercises with the United States and Australia.
Japan and the Philippines are also set to start negotiations on a classified information exchange agreement.
This initiative aims to enhance real-time surveillance and alerts regarding China.
These developments come amid mounting concerns over China's aggressive maritime tactics, including deploying naval and coast guard vessels to block Philippine access to crucial reefs and islands.
With the Philippines actively diversifying its security alliances, the recent UK framework adds to Manila's growing network of defense partners, including the United States, Australia, Japan and Canada.