Philippines, Australia start sea, air patrols in South China Sea
MANILA: The Philippines and Australia began their first joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, days after Manila took similar steps with the US as Pacific nations warily eye an increasingly assertive China. The three-day exercises, announced by Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr on social media, follow discussions by the Philippines and Australia early this year on joint patrols to underscore what they say is their commitment to a rules-based order.