Defense ministers of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines hold their first four-party meeting

During a meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Philippine Defense Secretary Carlito Galvez "discussed regional issues of mutual concern and opportunities for expanded cooperation," according to a statement released after the meeting.

The ministers agreed to strengthen security cooperation in an effort to promote a free and open Indo- Pacific . The ministers also "affirmed that they have a vision of a 'free and open Indo- Pacific ' and will work together to ensure that vision continues to develop," according to Japan's Ministry of Defense.

From left, Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada, Philippine Defense Minister Carlito Galvez and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pose for a photo before their talks in Singapore on June 3.

Kyodo News Screenshot

The four-way meeting comes as Tokyo, Washington and Canberra all step up defense cooperation with Manila, amid growing concerns over China's growing military presence in the South China Sea and East China Sea, as well as escalating US-China tensions.

Earlier in the day, Ministers Hamada, Austin and Marles held a separate meeting. During the three-way meeting, they opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, according to NHK.

The ministers agreed to expand joint exercises and strengthen defense cooperation between the three countries, including conducting training with F-35 fighter jets in Australia.

They also confirmed that Australia and Japan will work closely with each other and with the US, as Japan seeks counter-strike capabilities and Australia invests in long-range strike capabilities.

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