Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will use a rare address to Australia¡¯s parliament on Thursday to outline how the two nations intend to deepen defense and economic ties, against the backdrop of China¡¯s growing military footprint in the region.
Marcos said he will provide ¡°greater detail¡± in his address on the two nations¡¯ commitments under a newly-struck strategic partnership, and set out his vision for his country. He will be the first Philippine leader to address a joint sitting of parliament in Canberra.
¡°I intend to serve as a bridge that will further connect the two democratic, maritime nations,¡± the president said in Manila on Wednesday before leaving for Australia, adding that three agreements are expected to be signed during his trip.
Under Marcos, the Philippines has moved to strengthen ties with traditional security partners, including the U.S., in the face of intensifying pressure from Beijing in the South China Sea. China claims large swaths of the waterway, including areas the Philippines says are part of its exclusive economic zone.
Australia, in turn, is working with the U.S. and U.K. to develop a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines that could be deployed early next decade under the Aukus agreement. Canberra has simultaneously moved to bolster relations with Southeast Asian nations in the face of China¡¯s growing power in the region.
But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also sought to position Australia as a middle power that will stand alongside like-minded nations to de-escalate tensions and try to maintain peace.
Albanese will host leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, excluding Myanmar, for a summit in Melbourne next week to celebrate 50 years of relations between Australia and the organization.
Marcos¡¯s trip to Canberra ahead of the summit comes after Albanese in September became the first sitting Australian prime minister in two decades to visit the Philippines. During the trip, the two leaders signed a strategic partnership agreement that elevates their relationship.
Australia and the U.S. are the only countries with whom the Philippines has a Visiting Forces Agreement. Canberra and Manila have also run joint patrols in the South China Sea.
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