US EditionAustralian and Philippine defense chiefs to talk as disputes simmer over the South China Sea
Australia and the Philippines conduct largest joint combat drills involving 3,600 personnel to reinforce deterrence amid increased Chinese coast guard presence near contested shoals.
- On August 20, 2025, Australia's defense minister Richard Marles met his Philippine counterpart in Manila amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea involving Chinese and Philippine forces.
- This meeting and ongoing Australian-Philippine joint exercises, called Alon, followed a series of incidents including an August 11 accidental collision between Chinese ships at Scarborough Shoal and increased Chinese deployments near the grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre.
- Chinese coast guard vessels conducted water cannon drills near Second Thomas Shoal, while Philippine forces deployed to prevent Chinese vessels from approaching the Sierra Madre, with both sides engaged in close maritime confrontations monitored by U.S. aerial surveillance.
- Rear Admiral Roy Trinidad, the spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, emphasized that the country will firmly defend its national boundaries and sovereign interests, and confirmed that plans are in place should tensions escalate amid increasing Chinese maritime activities.
- The meetings and exercises aim to enhance defense cooperation and collective deterrence among treaty allies, highlighting ongoing regional security concerns and fears of a larger conflict in this strategic and contested maritime corridor.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Australian and Philippine defense chiefs meet as disputes simmer over the South China Sea
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart are meeting in Manila on Friday for talks spotlighting their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, where Filipino forces were on alert after China deployed a…
Australia, PH defense chiefs talk as disputes simmer over West PH Sea
A China Coast Guard Vessel conducts an apparent water cannon drill close to the long-grounded Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal at the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. — Photo from Armed Forces of the Philippines Public Affairs Office via Associated Press MANILA, Philippines — Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart meet in Manila on Friday for talks spotlighting thei…
Winnipeg Free Press
Australian and Philippine defense chiefs to talk as disputes simmer over the South China Sea
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
Australian and Philippine defense chiefs to talk as disputes simmer over the South China Sea - The Morning Sun
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart meet in Manila on Friday for talks spotlighting their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, where Filipino forces were on alert after China deployed a larger number of coast guard forces closer to Manila’s military ship outpost in a fiercely disputed atoll. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles is visiting while Australian forces engage i…
Australian and Philippine defense chiefs to talk as disputes simmer ov
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart meet in Manila on Friday for talks spotlighting their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, where Filipino forces were on alert after China deployed a larger number of coast guard forces closer to Manila’s military ship outpost in a fiercely disputed atoll. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles is visiting while Australian forces engage i…
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