Philippines, U.S. in Draft Defense Pact Amid China Strain

Philippine and U.S. negotiators reached agreement on key points of a pact to boost the American troop presence as the Southeast Asian nation seeks to counter China’s push for control of disputed South China Sea territory.

Representatives of both nations finished the eighth round of “very productive” negotiations in Manila, the Philippine defense and foreign affairs departments said in a joint e-mailed statement today. A draft of the defense cooperation agreement will be submitted to President Benigno Aquino for approval, the departments said.