MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippines and Lithuania signed an agreement to build a security alliance resulting from their mutual alarm over what they perceive as growing aggression threatening their regions by countries such as China.

Lithuania will consider a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines, as it builds security ties with the Southeast Asian nation while criticizing Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea.

Lithuania’s Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė has praised the Philippines for its campaign to expose China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, calling it a bold move that shatters China’s “peaceful neighbor” image.

Lithuania's defense minister has praised a Philippine campaign exposing China's aggression in the South China Sea

A 2016 international arbitration decision invalidated China’s claims based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, but Beijing has rejected the ruling and continues to defy it. View on eurone