British troops could be deployed in the South China Sea amid rising Chinese aggressions in the region. The UK is reportedly keen to strike a deal with the Philippines which would allow the country to host UK forces in a sign of Britain’s increased focus on the Indo-Pacific.
Gilberto Teodoro Jr, the Philippines defence secretary, said: “That is the clearest expression that a country might have to support our claim in the West Philippine Sea”. Manila prefers to refer to the South China Sea as the West Philippine Sea. Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea but this is not supported by international law and is disputed by other nations, including the Philippines.
Tensions in the South China Sea have been heating up with a series of flashpoints involving Chinese forces.
China’s coast guard accused a Philippine ship of deliberately ramming one of its vessels on Tuesday near a disputed shoal — a claim the Philippines denied, insisting China’s forces used powerful water cannons that damaged its ship and injured a crew member.
Weeks before the latest flare-up, Manila said a Chinese warship rammed into one of Beijing’s own coast guard ships while pursuing a Philippines vessel.
There have also been incidents with other nations, including Australia.
British defence minister Lord Coaker has handed a letter from Defence Secretary John Healey to Mr Teodoro, expressing interest in discussing a Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with the Philippines, according to The Telegraph.
A SOVFA is a type of defence treaty which provides a legal framework for the Philippines to host overseas forces.
This could be for joint military drills or other types of activity, it is reported.
The UK could become only the second European nation to pursue a SOVFA with the Philippines after France started talks over a similar agreement earlier this year, The Telegraph reports.
Discussions are said to have focused on deterrence in the South China Sea but could also strategically place UK troops close to China in the event of an invasion of Taiwan.
The Indo-Pacific has been a matter of growing importance for UK, and also US, defence.
The previous Tory government set out an ‘Indo-Pacific tilt’ and the recent Strategic Defence Review identified the region as one of the biggest priorities.
“Defence must work bilaterally and through NATO to bolster the capabilities of its allies and partners in other theatres of importance to the UK, notably the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific,” part of the review, published in June, stated.
“This involves a combination of security assistance, capability, partnerships, and trade.”
Britain’s largest warship, aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, is currently on an eight-month deployment focusing on the Indo-Pacific region.
The Express has contacted the Ministry of Defence for a comment.