Australian Defense Minister-Philippines Meet Amid Concerns Of Chinese Pressure In The South China Sea

JAKARTA - Australian Minister of Defense (Menhan) Richard Marles will hold a meeting with Philippine Defense Minister Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Manila today, Friday 22 August.

Officials of the two countries will discuss Australia-Philippine concerns over China's actions in the South China Sea.

Marles and Gilberto are scheduled to sign a joint agreement to increase defense cooperation.

"The two of them [states] have planned to increase interoperability, collective prevention, and long-term military readiness ... to promote regional security and stability," said a Philippine Defense Officer, quoted from AP.

The meeting in Manila will take place after Richard is invited to witness joint military exercises of the Australian-Philippine army, involving more than 3,600 soldiers in live firing exercises and combat maneuvers.

Philippine officials added that Richard was invited to witness a simulation of amphibious attacks on the coast carried out by the Australian and Philippine navys over the weekend.

The exercise, titled "Alon", which in Tagalog means "wave", was held in a city in the western Philippines overlooking the South China Sea.

Military drills involving Australian naval destroyers equipped with guided missiles, F/A-18 supersonic fighter jets, cargo aircraft and C-130 troops, Javelin anti-tank weapons, and special forces sniper weapons.