'A new level': Australia boosts ties with Philippines

Anthony Albanese and Ferdinand Marcos Jr have signed off on a new strategic partnership. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

The prime minister has vowed to take Australia's relationship with the Philippines to the next level, after the two nations signed up to closer defence and security ties.

Anthony Albanese held one-on-one talks with Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr in Manila on Friday, the first bilateral visit by a sitting prime minister to the country in 20 years.

The two nations upgraded ties with both leaders signing off on a new strategic partnership.

Under the agreement, both countries will step up joint naval patrols in the South China Sea, following escalating tensions over disputed territories claimed by China.

Peace and stability within the nearby Taiwan Strait was also highlighted in the partnership statement.

Australians looking to travel to the Philippines will be able to obtain a new working holiday visa, allowing them to stay in the country for up to a year.

Filipinos can also come to Australia for 12 months under the visa.

The nations will collaborate to help develop healthier soils for agricultural production in the Philippines, a project to be backed by more than $4 million in Australian funding.

Mr Albanese said there was still room to improve relations even further.

"There is real scope for us to grow trade between our two countries," he told reporters in Manila.

"It was a very successful visit with some practical outcomes, taking the relationship between Australia and the Philippines up to a new level."

The new agreement will also see annual meetings between defence ministers.

During bilateral talks, the leaders discussed strengthening regional and national security along with trade and economic relations.

Mr Marcos said while it had been several decades since the last formal talks with an Australian leader in the nation, the relationship was strengthening.

"The Australian shift, maybe a decade or two ago, saying Australia's future is with Asia, has become a reality," he said.

"That's why the closeness between our countries ... is terribly important."

The Philippine president said both nations were committed to regional security.

"I'm confident these partnerships will drive innovation, create opportunities and foster a deeper understanding between our countries," he said.

Mr Albanese said ties would also be strengthened within Australia, with a new Philippine Institute to be set up at the Australian National University in Canberra.

"Australia is ambitious for what we can achieve with the Philippines and with the region," he said.

The prime minister's latest visit follows several ministerial trips to the Asian country to shore up defence ties, including by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles last month when he observed joint military exercises.

Earlier on Friday, Mr Albanese laid a wreath at the Jose Rizal Monument, which commemorates the executed Filipino nationalist advocate.

The prime minister was then given a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace with a military band and Waltzing Matilda played on multiple marimbas, before he inspected the troops.

The visit is part of a growing focus on Southeast Asia by the government amid escalating regional tensions in the Indo-Pacific and Chinese aggression.

Relations have been bolstered in recent months with neighbouring nations including Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.

Mr Albanese will next travel to India to meet with world leaders at the G20 Summit in New Delhi.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store