China is intensifying its efforts to pressure the Philippines into relinquishing its sovereign rights in the South China Sea, stated Manila’s Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro on Tuesday following discussions with his Australian counterpart in Canberra.

This meeting marks the fifth since August 2023 and underscores the strengthening security collaboration between the two nations, both of which have expressed concerns regarding Chinese activities in regions of the busy waterway claimed by the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries.

Teodoro remarked, “We are witnessing a growing insistence from Beijing for us to yield our sovereign rights in the region,” after his meeting with Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, emphasizing that the Philippines is a “victim of Chinese aggression.”

In September 2023, the two nations formalized a strategic partnership, which was followed by their inaugural joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea a few months later. Additionally, this year marked the Philippines’ participation in military exercises in Australia for the first time.

A representative from the Chinese foreign ministry stated that Beijing has implemented measures to protect its rights following what it described as initial infringements by the Philippines.

Lin Jian remarked during a press briefing, “If the Philippines ceases its infringements and provocations, there will be no further escalation in the maritime situation.”

Throughout this year, China and the Philippines have engaged in ongoing disputes over contested regions in the South China Sea, particularly the Scarborough Shoal, which is one of the most disputed areas in Asia.

On Sunday, China announced that it had established a baseline of “territorial waters” around the shoal in reaction to the Philippines’ recent approval of two laws aimed at defining its sea lanes and maritime zones to strengthen its territorial claims in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, Manila’s national maritime council expressed its objection to China’s establishment of these baselines, accusing Beijing of infringing upon its sovereignty.

In a statement, the council asserted, “China’s establishment of baselines around the shoal is a continuation of its illegal seizure of the area in 2012, which the Philippines continues to vehemently oppose.”

China has intensified its maritime patrols in the South China Sea, as reported by the state-affiliated Global Times on Monday. This increase involves deploying vessels designed for extended patrols and enhanced enforcement, particularly following the Philippines’ enactment of new laws aimed at safeguarding its rights in the region.

The report indicates that China will utilize thousand-tonne-class ships equipped with robust cruising and resupply capabilities. Additionally, hundred-tonne-class patrol boats, known for their agility and adaptable enforcement strategies, will facilitate the pursuit and interception of swift-moving targets, as well as conduct boarding inspections.

Since taking control of the Scarborough Shoal in 2012 after a confrontation with the Philippines, China has consistently stationed coastguard and fishing vessels in the area, some of which Manila has labeled as maritime militia.

China asserts sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, a vital route for over $3 trillion in annual maritime trade, which includes territories claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims lacked legal foundation, a decision that Beijing has dismissed.

Teodoro emphasized that China’s assertions and actions violate international law, asserting that defense agreements with allies like Australia are crucial for deterring Chinese advances. He remarked, “While they (China) purport to operate within the framework of international law, it is widely recognized that their actions contradict its principles.”

He further noted, “The clearest indication of this is the absence of support for their actions from any other nation.”

In addition to strengthening relationships with countries such as Australia and the United States, the Philippines is set to invest at least $33 billion in new military capabilities, including advanced fighter jets and mid-range missiles.

Marles stated that Australia aims to enhance collaboration with the Philippine defense sector and plans to dispatch an engineering assessment team to the Philippines early next year.