Canada and the Philippines, both vocal critics of China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the South China Sea, have concluded negotiations for a key defense pact that will allow their forces to hold large combat exercises and intensify defense cooperation.

Canada has supported the Philippines’ stance in the South China Sea, backing a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration that said China’s vast South China Sea claims had no legal basis. China rejects that finding.

The Philippines and Canada have negotiated a deal for the deployment of troops, Manila said Friday, it what will be once signed the latest security pact in the face of