菲律宾和澳大利亚周日签署了一项升级版防务合作协议，旨在增强马尼拉的军事威慑力并扩大联合活动，菲律宾官员表示。
The Philippines and Australia signed an upgraded defense cooperation agreement Sunday aimed at strengthening Manila's military deterrence and expanding joint activities, according to Philippine officials.
正在马尼拉出席第49届东南亚国家联盟峰会的澳大利亚总理安东尼·阿尔巴尼斯见证了《菲律宾-澳大利亚防务合作安排》的签署。
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is in Manila for the 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, witnessed theg of the Philippines-Australia Defense Cooperation Arrangement.
菲律宾国防部长吉尔伯托·特奥多罗和澳大利亚驻菲大使马克·因斯-布朗在马尼拉南港签署了该协议。
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australian Ambassador Marc Innes-Brown signed the agreement at Manila South Harbor.
据Rappler新闻网报道，该协议更新了两国于1995年签署的防务合作谅解备忘录。
The pact updates a 1995 memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation between the two countries, Rappler News reported.
特奥多罗表示：“该协议让我们合作更快、更高效。它简化了协调流程。基本上，它是《访问部队地位协定》运作的机制。”他指的是自2012年起在两国间生效的《访问部队地位协定》。
"The agreement makes us work faster, speedier. It streamlines the coordination process. Basically, it is the mechanism by which the SOFA will work," Teodoro said. He was referring to the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, which has been in effect between the two countries since 2012.
该协议允许两国军事人员进入对方领土，开展训练演习和人道主义救援行动。
The agreement allows military personnel from both nations to access each other's territory for training exercises and humanitarian response operations.
菲律宾和澳大利亚于2023年9月将双边关系提升为战略伙伴关系。
The Philippines and Australia elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in September 2023.
当被问及升级后的协议是否有助于台海威慑时，特奥多罗强调了其在保护菲律宾领土和海洋利益方面的作用。
Asked whether the upgraded agreement would contribute to deterrence in the Taiwan Strait, Teodoro emphasized its role in protecting Philippine territory and maritime interests.
据ABS-CBN新闻网分享的视频，他说：“在西菲律宾海的威慑，是的；（在）菲律宾领土的威慑，是的。”
"Deterrence on the West Philippine Sea, yes; (deterrence) in Philippine territory, yes," he said, according to a video shared by ABS-CBN News.
该防务协议的签署正值菲律宾和中国在南海存在领土争端，双方拥有重叠的海洋主张。特奥多罗表示，该协议将增强菲律宾捍卫其管辖区域的能力。
The defense pact comes amid territorial disputes between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea, where the two countries have overlapping maritime claims. Teodoro said the agreement would strengthen the Philippines' ability to defend areas under its jurisdiction.
他说：“我们在西菲律宾海的立场……是所有权利均属菲律宾所有。因此，它将强化我们在拥有管辖权区域内的可信威慑态势。”
"Our stance in the West Philippine Sea … is all entitlements are Philippine entitlements. So, it will bolster our credible deterrent posture in areas where we have jurisdiction," he said.
他补充说，升级后的安排将允许菲律宾和澳大利亚军队开展更多联合海上、空中和陆地活动。
He added that the upgraded arrangement would allow more joint maritime, air and land activities between the Philippine and Australian militaries.