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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》 Australia and Philippines back peace in the Strait
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles, left, and Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro talk to each other after holding a press conference following their closed-door meeting at a hotel in Makati, Metro Manila, on Aug. 22 last year. Photo: EPA
‘STATUS QUO’:The two countries’ defense chiefs encouraged dialogue instead of the use of force, and slammed China’s aggressive moves in disputed waters
/ Staff writer
The defense chiefs of Australia and the Philippines yesterday reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, voicing opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the “status quo,” as they pledged to deepen bilateral security cooperation.
The joint statement was issued following the third Australia-Philippines Defence Ministers’ Meeting in Darwin, Australia, between Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
The two leaders encouraged “dialogue rather than coercion or the use of force” in the Taiwan Strait.
They also strongly condemned Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea, expressing “serious concern” over the “destabilizing and dangerous conduct” of Chinese vessels toward Philippine vessels.
They specifically highlighted aggressive tactics employed by the China Coast Guard at the Second Thomas Shoal （Renai Shoal, 仁愛暗沙） last month, including ramming and the use of water cannons. Recent incidents have also resulted in injuries to Philippine Navy personnel.
Marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling, Marles and Teodoro reiterated that the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea provides the definitive and binding legal framework for maritime activities, emphasizing freedom of navigation and overflight.
The defense chiefs also raised alarms over Beijing’s test of a submarine-launched ballistic missile from the South China Sea on July 6, which flew over the Philippines and into the Pacific.
They called for transparency mechanisms and advance notifications for such launches to ensure regional safety.
Australia and the Philippines also announced significant progress toward a modernized Defence Cooperation Arrangement that is to supersede their 1995 framework.
The two nations committed to enhancing interoperability through continued joint military exercises — including Pitch Black, Balikatan and Carabaroo this year, and Alon next year — and expanding cooperation on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to strengthen collective deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
