Defense Chief Tours Australia, Philippines, Laos, Fiji

Australia

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin landed in Australia on Saturday as part of a three-country Southeast Asian tour aimed at strengthening security partnerships and regional stability.

While in Australia, Austin met with his Australian counterpart, Richard Marles, to discuss joint military training and exercises, as well as ways to cooperate on emerging security challenges, including those posed by China.

This is Austin's first visit to Australia as defense secretary and underscores the Biden administration's commitment to bolstering ties with allies in the region.

Philippines

Austin then traveled to the Philippines, where he met with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top officials to reaffirm the two countries' longstanding defense alliance.

During his visit, Austin announced that the US will increase its military presence in the Philippines, including more rotational deployments of ships and aircraft, and the establishment of new joint training exercises.

The increased presence is seen as a response to China's growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, where the Philippines has competing territorial claims.

Laos

After the Philippines, Austin traveled to Laos, where he met with Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and other senior officials.

The meeting focused on strengthening security cooperation between the two countries, including increased training and capacity building for the Lao military.

Laos is a landlocked country bordering China and Vietnam, and has been seen as a potential strategic partner for the US in the region.

Fiji

Austin's final stop was in Fiji, where he met with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka and other senior officials.

The meeting covered a range of issues, including maritime security, climate change, and the importance of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Fiji is an archipelago nation in the South Pacific with a growing strategic importance, and the US has been seeking to expand its engagement with the country.