Australia and the Philippines sign new strategic partnership to strengthen economic and defence ties

Australian troops will patrol the South China Sea alongside the Philippines as the two nations step up their partnership with a new agreement boosting defence and economic ties.

Australian troops will patrol the South China Sea alongside the Philippines as the two nations step up their partnership with a new agreement boosting defence and economic ties.

Anthony Albanese received an elaborate ceremonial welcome to the Malacanan Palace in Manila, complete with a troop inspection and a local rendition of Waltzing Matilda, before he signed a new strategic partnership with Philippines President Bongbong Marcos on Friday.

The Prime Minister said the bolstered agreement would “strengthen” both nations adding that Australia saw its own future security and prosperity as “very much lying here in our region”.

“We have common views about the need to uphold international law,” he said. “Australia’s position on that will continue to be consistent.

“As we have always been including, recently over issues relating to the South China Sea.”

Australia and the Philippines have signed a new strategic partnership following a visit by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Picture: Jes Aznar/Getty Images

The half-day trip to the Philippines comes only a day after Mr Albanese confirmed he would travel to China later this year to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mr Albanese said nations had a “collective responsibility for security”, including “support for the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea”.

Last month Chinese troops used water cannons to block attempts by the Philippines to resupply its troops guarding a shoal in the South China Sea that Beijing has tried to claim is its own.

Australia will soon join the Philippines on joint patrols in the South China Sea. Picture: Armed Forces of the Philippines/AFP

An international court ruling on the so-called nine-dash line – a map China bases its South China Sea claims on – found in 2016 that line had no legal basis.

Mr Marcos thanked Australia for its vocal support for his country’s rights regarding territories in the contested region.

“You have made very clear the claims that are being made upon Philippine maritime territory are not valid and have not been recognised and are not in conjunction or consistent with international law,” he said.

“To have friends like (Australia) and parties like you especially on that subject is very gratifying.”

Australian Defence Force troops recently joined the Armed Forces of the Philippines and US Marine Corps for Exercise Alon air, off the Philippines coast in the South China Sea and Sulu Sea. Picture: Charles Miranda

On a recent visit to the Philippines, Defence Minister Richard Marles said Australia was “ambitious” about where its relationship would go, including the patrols.

“Earlier this year we talked about Australia and the Philippines doing joint patrols in the maritime domain, we are working on that and we look forward to having the first of those patrols happen soon,” he said.

Australian flags lined the streets of the Philippines capital to commemorate what is the first time an Australian prime minister has visited the country for a bilateral meeting in 20 years.

The leaders also signed two memorandums of understanding during the trip, including an agreement Australia will make it easier for Filipinos to get working holiday visas.

Australia will also assist Philippines farmers improve their soil conditions to boost the islands’ food security.

Originally published as Australia and the Philippines sign new strategic partnership to strengthen economic and defence ties