Philippines: Why Australia Is Building 8 Military Projects Across 5 Secret Sites | EP707

The Philippines has actively expanded its network of security partnerships, including an upcoming Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with Australia. The two countries also announced that Australia would build eight defense infrastructure projects at five sites across the Philippines. Manila previously signed a mutual defense treaty with the US in 1951, but it has recently sought to boost its military links with other like-minded countries in the face of illegal, coercive, aggressive and deceptive (ICAD) actions from Beijing. What does this EDCA involve? Why is Australia so keen to expand its presence in the South China Sea? And could this help deter a conflict in the Taiwan Strait? In this episode, our guests discuss the Philippine’s deterrence network, Australia’s expanding military role, and what it means for Indo-Pacific peace and stability.

*Recorded on October 17, 2025 at 11am Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Yin Khvat

Our guests:

Renato Cruz de Castro
National Chengchi University MOFA Taiwan Fellow

Wen-Ti Sung
Atlantic Council Global China Hub Non-Resident Fellow

Chapters:
00:00:00 - Australia, Philippines’s Security Ties
00:01:43 – What Will ECDA Entail?
00:09:52 - What Motivates Australia To Counter China?
00:16:48 - Philippines Expands Deterrence Network
00:22:54 - Could Beijing, Manila Reach Consensus?




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