Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong delivers a lecture at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, on July 6, 2022. (File photo from IISS)
A senior Australian official will arrive in the country next week to discuss several bilateral partnerships, including security, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong will be on an official visit in the Philippines from May 16 to May 19, the DFA said on Friday. Wong’s visit came at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo. According to the DFA, Wong and Manalo will discuss a “broad range of issues of mutual interest, including defense and security partnership, development cooperation, trade and investment and people-to-people ties.” Wong’s visit comes amid heightened tensions between the country and China in the South China Sea. This is Wong’s first official visit to the country and comes after a series of “high-level exchanges.” Wong will also pay a courtesy call on President Marcos and Vice President Duterte. —Jacob Lazaro