The Philippines and Australia discussed pursuing joint patrols in the South China Sea, days after the Southeast Asian country held similar talks with the United States to counter China's growing assertiveness in the disputed waterway.

Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles met with his Philippine counterpart, Carlito Galvez Junior, in Manila, something they said they plan to do yearly in a bid to deepen the countries' security ties. The possibility of the Philippines and Australia holding joint patrols comes on the heels of similar discussions between Manila and Washington about conducting joint coast guard patrols, including in the South China Sea.