The two nations signed a strategic partnership in September 2023 and held their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea several months later. The Philippines also joined war games in Australia this year for the first time.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, a conduit for more than US$3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis, a ruling Beijing rejects.
Teodoro said China’s claims and behaviour were contrary to international law and defence deals with partners such as Australia were an important way to deter Chinese incursions.
“Although they (China) claim to act under the aegis of international law, everybody knows that what they’re doing is contrary to the tenets of international law,” he said.
“The biggest evidence of this is that nobody has actually supported their actions or activities.”
In addition to closer ties with countries including Australia and the United States, the Philippines also plans to spend at least US$33 billion on new weapons including advanced fighter jets and mid-range missiles.
Marles said Australia wanted to work more closely with the Philippine defence industry and would send an engineering assessment team to the country early next year.
