Australia and Philippines Launch Joint Naval Patrols in South China Sea

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Australia have launched their first joint maritime patrol as part of the inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea.

According to a joint statement issued by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Philippines’ Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Theodoro Jr., the Maritime Cooperative Activity “represents the practical implementation” of the Strategic Partnership signed between the two countries in September and will be held from November 25 through 27.