In a landmark deal signed early monday morning between the United States and the Philippines, the Philippine government granted the United States military the right to begin to establish a greater military presence in the country. 

The agreement comes as part of America's pivot away from the Middle East and towards Asia, as a rising China continues to pose an increasing threat to American interests in the region. 

The agreement will allow U.S. forces to be based on the island, assuming the prior approval of the Philippine government is granted. 

SEE ALSO: China Targets High-Tech U.S. Industries With Direct Investments

In addition, there is a distinct possibility that the agreement will be followed in the near future by an agreement that will allow the United States to reopen the currently shuttered Cold War facility at Subic Bay. 

The Philippines has struggled to upgrade their anemic military in recent years, and as the threat posed by China continues to grow, the United States is looking to strengthen it’s ties with many South East Asian nations as it looks to contain China and prevent it from challenging American military supremacy in the region. 

“The Philippines’ immediate and urgent motivation is to strengthen itself and look for a security shield with its pitiful military,” Manila based political analyst Ramon Casiple told the AP. “The U.S. is looking for a re-entry to Asia, where its superpower status has been put in doubt.” 

Read the full story on the Associated Press.

Reach Supervising Executive Producer Christopher Coppock by email.