The Philippines and Australia are working towards a new defence agreement to be signed next year, their defence ministers said on Friday, as both nations seek to step up military cooperation to deal with shared security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.

Australia’s defense minister and his Philippine counterpart are meeting in Manila for talks spotlighting their concern over Beijing’s actions in the South China Sea

The Philippines and Australia are preparing to sign a new defense pact next year, which will include more frequent joint military drills and support for developing defense infrastructure in the Philippines.