Canada and the Philippines are set to sign a major defense agreement on Sunday to strengthen military cooperation, including joint drills, amid growing concerns over China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, Philippine officials confirmed.

The Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), to be signed by Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Canadian counterpart David McGuinty in Manila, will allow Canadian troops to join training and exercises in the Philippines. Teodoro said the accord will help uphold a “rules-based international order” and resist attempts by powerful nations to reshape global norms for their own interests.

The Philippines already has similar pacts with the U.S., Australia, Japan, and New Zealand, and is negotiating others with France, Singapore, and Britain.

The new defense deal is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push to expand alliances to modernize the country’s military and strengthen its deterrence amid tensions with Beijing. China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, ignoring a 2016 international tribunal ruling that invalidated its sweeping claims.

Chinese coast guard ships have repeatedly used water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against Philippine vessels, causing injuries and damaging boats.

At a recent ASEAN defense ministers’ meeting, Teodoro denounced Beijing’s plan to establish a “nature reserve” in the disputed Scarborough Shoal, calling it a disguised military move. Canada also condemned China’s actions, accusing it of using environmental claims to justify control over the area.

Canada has been increasingly active in Indo-Pacific security, signing defense cooperation deals and providing satellite-based “Dark Vessel Detection” technology to help Manila track illegal and Chinese maritime activities.