Australia moves spy drones into China’s backyard

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has announced Australia’s latest move in the South China Sea that’s sure to infuriate China .

Australia will provide surveillance drones and high-tech military gear to the Philippine coast guard, Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced.

The move comes after Minister of Defence Richard Marles revealed Australia and the Philippines were in talks to hold joint patrols of the South China Sea after a Chinese coast guard used a military-grade laser to blind the Filipino crew of a patrol near a disputed shoal.

Asked if Australia would join the US and Philippines in patrolling the South China Sea, Wong told a press conference those talks were continuing.

“We are open to co-operating with all our partners to exercise freedom of navigation and overflight,” she told reporters.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong speaks during a joint press conference with Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo. Picture: AFP

“Our departments are discussing the best pathway to take this forward, and we want to keep working with the Philippines on that.”

Australia’s increased presence in the South China Sea echoes similar discussions the Philippines had with the United States after Beijing’s escalation in February.

Philippines Defence Minister Carlito Galvez Jr said they would like to see “more intensive” co-operation with Australia like the joint Navy and Air Force patrols the two countries have held in the past.

“We have the experience, and we can do it again,” he said after Mr Marles visited the archipelago earlier this year.

“On behalf of the Philippine government, really thank the generosity and the dedication … to make sure Australia will become responsible, relevant to our counter-terrorism and also maritime security affairs,” he added.

Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Picture: AFP

Wong, in Manila to meet with her counterpart Enrique Manalo, said they discussed increased security co-operation that includes “Australia providing drone equipment, training and other technology”.

She added the drones would strengthen the Philippine coast guard in “maritime domain awareness and protection capabilities”.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Wong said while Australia and the Philippines have longstanding defence co-operation relationship, “we need to do more”.

“A key outcome of the visit will be to progress the uplifting of our relationship from a comprehensive partnership to a strategic partnership,” she said.

“There’s a lot happening in the region, there’s a lot happening and a lot of contest.

“We all want a region that is stable, peaceful and prosperous and we all want a region where rules ameliorate the exercise of power.

“We don’t want a region which is dominated to an extent where other countries can’t make their own decisions.”

Originally published as Australia moves spy drones into China’s backyard