Canberra: China is intensifying efforts to pressure the Philippines into relinquishing its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on Tuesday after discussions with his Australian counterpart in Canberra. This meeting, the fifth since August 2023, underscores the deepening security relationship between the two countries, both of which have raised concerns over China’s activities in this heavily contested region, which the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations claim in part.

"We are seeing increasing pressure from Beijing to concede our sovereignty in the area," Teodoro stated after meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, calling the Philippines a "victim of Chinese aggression."

The Philippines and Australia formalized a strategic partnership in September 2023, which was followed by joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea. Additionally, this year marked the first time the Philippines joined military exercises held in Australia.

In response to these growing alliances, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson asserted that China is acting to protect its rights, alleging that the Philippines was the initial provocateur. "If the Philippines stops infringing and provoking, there will be no further escalation," said Lin Jian at a press briefing.

China and the Philippines have faced repeated confrontations this year over disputed regions in the South China Sea, notably the Scarborough Shoal, a critical area in the region’s territorial disputes. On Sunday, China announced it had established a baseline for "territorial waters" around the shoal, responding to recent Philippine legislation defining its own sea lanes and maritime zones.

The Philippine National Maritime Council formally objected to China’s move, calling it an infringement on Philippine sovereignty. "China’s establishment of baselines around the shoal continues its illegal seizure of the area in 2012, which the Philippines staunchly opposes," the council stated.

China has since increased its maritime patrol presence, as reported by the state-backed Global Times, deploying large vessels for extensive patrols and agile patrol boats designed for fast maneuvers, intercepting targets, and conducting inspections. This increased activity follows the Philippines’ recent legislation affirming its rights in the South China Sea.

Since the 2012 standoff, China has maintained a steady presence of coastguard ships and fishing vessels—often labeled by the Philippines as maritime militia—around the Scarborough Shoal. China claims nearly all of the South China Sea, a crucial trade route valued at over $3 trillion annually, overlapping claims made by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s territorial claims lack a legal basis, a decision China dismisses. Teodoro emphasized that China’s actions violate international law, and that partnerships with allies like Australia are crucial in deterring further Chinese encroachments. "Although China claims to operate within international law, their actions clearly defy its principles," he noted, adding that no other nation has formally supported China’s actions.

To strengthen its defense capabilities, the Philippines is also ramping up investments in its military, with plans to allocate $33 billion for new weapons, including fighter jets and mid-range missiles. Australian Defense Minister Marles expressed interest in closer cooperation with the Philippine defense industry, with plans to send an engineering assessment team to the Philippines early next year.