New ‘Squad’ bloc could allow Philippines to ‘borrow strength’ of Australia, Japan, US to counter China

Emerging alliance expected to undertake more maritime exercises and provide greater security help to the Philippines in its South China Sea claims

Squad would complement Quad and lead to a more ‘versatile power distribution’ where responsibilities are shared, analyst notes

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(From left) US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles, Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro hold a joint press conference following their talks in Hawaii on May 2. Photo: Kyodo

Published: 8:00am, 9 May 2024

An emerging regional bloc linking Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States is expected to evolve into a more permanent or institutionalised grouping.

But for now, analysts say the informal alliance will allow Manila to “borrow the strength” of the other three nations in countering challenges from China, and in elevating the Philippines’ status beyond that of a “junior partner”.

US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin last week met counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines as Washington sought to deepen ties within the rising regional group that Pentagon officials had privately nicknamed the “Squad”, according to a Bloomberg report.

Japanese Defence Minister Minoru Kihara (far left) holds talks with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro (second from right) in Hawaii on May 3. Photo: Kyodo

The quadrilateral marks the latest regional partnership Washington has forged to counter Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.

There is also the Quad comprising Australia, India, Japan and the US, and Aukus, a defence pact among Australia, the United Kingdom and the US.

Austin said the so-called Squad would undertake more maritime exercises and provide greater security help to the Philippines, which in recent months had been caught up in several naval skirmishes with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea.

He added that Washington had made clear to all nations, including China, that Beijing’s recent behaviour in the disputed waterway was “irresponsible” and “disregards international law”.