(Manila Comprehensive) After the United States, Australia also conducted a joint patrol with the Philippines in the South China Sea and discussed.
After visiting the Australian Defense Minister Mars in Manila on Wednesday (February 22), after meeting the Philippine National Defense Minister Garves, he said at a joint press conference: "We do discuss the possibility of joint patrol today, and we will continue to consultI hope it can be implemented soon ... We are committed to maintaining a global order based on rules. It is natural to discuss cooperation between the two countries. "
The military connection between Australia and the Philippines can be traced back to 1922. There are currently troops of the two countries to provide comprehensive legal and operating framework for defense cooperation.
The Straits Times reported that Mars said that Australia believes that the Philippines play a vital role in protecting its Asia -Pacific interests.Once the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait move, the Philippines is the key security and economic partner in Australia with its geographical location.He said: "The two countries are deeply committed to ensuring that the United Nations Marine Convention Law has obtained obeying around the world, including the South China Sea that must be traded in most Australia."
Australia and the Philippines have also launched a joint patrol at sea in the past.Galves pointed out that in 2017, the Philippine Australia and the Silibus Sea and Sulu Sea outside the south coast of the Philippines, in addition to curbing the Abu Sayev terrorist in that area, also deepened the defense cooperation between the Philippines, Indonesia and MalaysiaEssence
The Philippines is a military allies in Australia and the United States. The three countries are strengthening the contact of security to contribute to the increasing influence of China in the Indo -Pacific region.The Philippines has recently discussed the possibility of the Philippine Coast Guard in joint patrol in the South China Sea and other waters.
The Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Tari Aila on Monday (February 20) told the United States Cable Television News Network Philippine Taiwan that the negotiation work of the Philippines and the United States has made progress and is no longer in the "initial stage."He said that the coast guards of the two countries are very likely to cooperate in this area.
A former deputy commander of the Philippine Navy analyzed that, compared to the Navy, the sent coastal guards to the South China Sea can "reduce the possibility of misjudgment and avoid letting China find an excuse to upgrade the conflict."
Garves also talked with US Secretary of Defense Austin before meeting with Mars to discuss Philippine's joint patrol operation in the South China Sea.According to a statement issued by the Pentagon of the United States on Tuesday, the two defense ministers also talked about the "interesting development of the South China Sea", including the China Maritime Police Ship accused of being a laser with the army on the Nansha Islands on February 6th.Incident of the Philippine Maritime Police Ship.
