Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, the Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, convened in Hawaii on May 2 for a significant meeting aiming to promote a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
During the meeting, the Ministers and Secretaries expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East and South China Seas. They strongly objected to the use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of upholding freedoms of navigation and overflight as well as respect for international law, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In a joint statement, the leaders reiterated their commitment to supporting states exercising their rights and freedoms in the South China Sea and called upon the People's Republic of China (PRC) to abide by the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award. They resolved to work together to strengthen regional security and stability, building upon the recent Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone on April 7, 2024.
The Ministers and Secretaries highlighted the growing strength of multilateral defense cooperation among the four countries and discussed opportunities to enhance defense collaboration further. This includes continued maritime cooperation in the South China Sea, improved coordination and information sharing arrangements, and capacity building efforts.
The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States to advancing a common vision for the Indo-Pacific region and promoting peace and stability through cooperation and adherence to international norms and laws.
