November 25, 2023
In Australia, News
Australia and the began joint air and naval patrols in the South China
Sea on Saturday, in an effort to bolster strategic cooperation .
In a joint statement, Australia and the Philippines said the three-day patrols showed their “shared commitment to exercising freedom of navigation and overflight consistent with international law.”
“Australia and the Philippines are firmly committed to peaceful, secure and prosperous region, where sovereignty and agreed rules and norms are respected,” Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said in the statement.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said that the joint patrols were “a practical manifestation of the growing and deepening strategic and defense partnership” between Australia and the Philippines.
“We endeavor to enhance bilateral interoperability in maritime security and domain awareness,” Marcos said on the social media.
During the patrolling exercise, the Philippines will deploy two navy ships and five surveillance airplanes along with HMAS Toowoomba warship and a P-8A maritime surveillance aircraft.
The sea patrols will be conducted inside the Philippines exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Philippine Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.
The Philippines’ EEZ extends 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the shore into the South China Sea, and into waters claimed by China
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