The proposal was made during a virtual meeting between Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton and his Filipino counterpart, Delfin Lorenzana, on February 23, 2023.
According to a statement released by the Australian Department of Defence, the two sides discussed “enhanced defence cooperation,” including the possibility of joint exercises and training, as well as increased intelligence sharing.
The statement also noted that the two ministers reaffirmed their countries’ commitment to upholding international law and promoting a rules-based order in the region.
The South China Sea is a strategically important area that is subject to competing territorial claims by China, Vietnam, the Philippines, and other countries. Tensions in the region have escalated in recent years, with China asserting its claims through military expansion and the building of artificial islands.
Australia has been vocal in its support for international law and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, and has conducted joint exercises with the United States and Japan in the region. The country has also expressed concern over China’s militarisation of the disputed waters.
The Philippines, which has been involved in a long-standing territorial dispute with China over parts of the South China Sea, has recently sought to strengthen its defence ties with other countries in the region, including Australia, Japan, and the United States.
Joint patrols between Australia and the Philippines could provide a deterrent against Chinese expansion in the South China Sea, and would be in line with the Australian government’s Indo-Pacific defence strategy.
The talks between the two countries are part of a broader trend of increased cooperation among countries in the region to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea. As tensions continue to simmer, it remains to be seen whether joint patrols will be implemented and how effective they will be in maintaining stability in the disputed waters.
Share this: