The Philippines and Australia will sign a defense agreement in 2024 to step up military cooperation and counter regional threats, especially from China.

The defense ministers of the Philippines and Australia have announced a new military cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening relations in the face of regional threats, particularly from China. The agreement will facilitate joint military exercises and support defense infrastructure development in the Philippines. The increasing presence of Chinese ships in the South China Sea has raised concerns, and Philippine officials emphasize the need to strengthen relations between the states to deter intimidation from China, which claims this strategic area.