The Philippines and Australia are preparing for a joint patrol in the South China Sea, the latest military collaboration between the two countries. According to the Manila Times, the Philippine Navy will launch a joint patrol from the 25th to the 27th of this month, and its patrol range will be extended from the waters around Palawan Island to Ren'ai Jiao. The Philippine military did not announce plans for the cruise, saying only that it was aimed at maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The cooperation between the Philippines and Australia is not surprising, as Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong revealed during his visit to the Philippines in May. Wong said Australia would be happy to assist the Philippines in improving its maritime capabilities, including technical training, maritime surveillance and protective equipment, and providing drones to the Philippines.
In addition to patrolling in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Australia conducted joint military exercises. In August, China and India conducted their first amphibious assault drill at a U.S. military base 240 kilometers from Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. A total of 560 Philippine Marines, 1,200 Australian troops and 120 U.S. Marines participated in the exercise.
The Philippines and Australia conducted a military exercise at a naval base in the Philippines, which will take place on August 25 next year.
The Philippines and Australia have obviously received strong support from the United States in their military cooperation with the United States. With the joint patrol of the Philippines and Australia, the Philippines and the United States will also carry out a three-day joint maritime patrol in the South China Sea. Marcos Marcos, the Philippines, said the move was aimed at"Enhance regional security and enhance close cooperation with the United States to protect the interests of both sides"。
Some analysts have pointed out that on the one hand, the United States has increased its military ties with the Philippines, and on the other hand, it has also prompted the Philippines to engage in military alliances with Australia, Japan, and other countries, with a view to forming and deepening its alliance with the United States, so as to achieve the effect of striking at China. Australia is the main U.S. military ally in the Asia-Pacific region, and its military ties with the Philippines are very close, and it has carried out a lot of activities in the South China Sea, which is consistent with U.S. policy.
Marcos Marcos, the Philippines, who is attending the APEC summit in San Francisco, reiterated that China and the Philippines should not be disturbed in any way because of the South China Sea issue. Marcos added: "I don't think anyone wants to start a war. However, the recent series of provocative moves by the Philippines in the South China Sea makes one wonder how big is the attitude of the Philippines towards the "chariot" of the United States to contain China, which has become unbalanced in its foreign policy.
In an interview with Voice of the South China Sea, Anna Marindog, an international affairs expert from the Philippines, reminded the Philippines that if the Philippines adopts a frontal conflict in the South China Sea, it will have the opposite effect and will not bring much benefit to the Philippines. She said she should face this fact with prudence and reason.