The alliance becomes even stronger.

Two months before the new president was elected, the United States signed the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) with the Philippines.

The agreement includes intelligence-sharing, a practice Washington has only signed with a select few allies and strategic partners, or with partners where the U.S. has particular strategic interests in certain areas. This illustrates how much importance Washington places on Manila.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on November 18.

GSOMIA involves not only the exchange of military intelligence but also access to modern military technology and advanced military techniques. Through this, the Philippines can significantly enhance its defense capabilities and military potential in a short period. The stronger the Philippines becomes in these two areas, the more useful it will be to the US in its overall Indo- Pacific strategy and strategic calculations targeting China. Manila is also experiencing tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea.

Through this, Manila can strengthen its military and defense capabilities, gain access to and utilize modern US military technology and techniques, and establish a very close, reliable, and extensive partnership with Washington in politics , military affairs, defense, and security. These factors help the Philippines enhance its position and strengthen its power in dealing with disagreements with China.

China cannot help but be deeply concerned, even if its public reaction to this new alliance between the US and the Philippines does not express this concern. What China cannot ignore is that while the current and incoming US presidents have differing views on domestic and foreign policy, they do not differ fundamentally on China and therefore on the US alliance with the Philippines.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lien-minh-them-ben-chat-185241119220922743.htm