Manila Upgrades Ties w/NZ Amid Regional Diplomatic Drive

(MNI) London - The upgrading of ties between New Zealand and the Philippines to a 'comprehensive partnership' has been announced as part of NZ PM Christopher Luxon's official visit to the country. Bloomberg reports: "Together, we are committed to stepping up our defense relationship,” Luxon said. [President Ferdinand] Marcos said they’re aiming for wide-ranging maritime cooperation including on illegal fishing and terrorism “that will have our respective law enforcement and civilian agencies working together to address common threats at sea.” A joint statement from Luxon and Marcos. stated that the two leaders "recognise the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."

• The establishment of closer ties with Wellington comes as the Philippine Foreign Ministry hit back at comments from Beijing regarding Manila's recent foreign policy moves. The ministry said that the deepending of ties with the US and Japan at a recent tripartite meeting was "a sovereign choice" for the Philippines. Reuters: "Philippine foreign ministry said the trilateral grouping would promote peace and economic growth in the Indo-Pacific and should not be considered a threat. China's "excessive maritime claims and aggressive behaviour", on the other hand, are undermining the peace and stability in the region, it said."
• Earlier in April, Chinese Foreign Ministry spox Mao Ning said China opposes "forming exclusive circles in the region" and any "acts that stoke and drive up tensions".