Today's Update 8 September 2023

 Albanese to hold formal talks with Philippines president, Marcos Jr.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will hold formal talks with the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila today, as the two countries look to strengthen security and defense ties amid rising regional tensions.

The meeting will be the first formal bilateral talks between the leaders of Australia and the Philippines in 20 years. Albanese has said that the Philippines is a "critical nation" for Australia's interests, and that the two countries have "strong economic relations" and "strong cooperation" on defence.

The talks come at a time when tensions are rising in the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China have been involved in a number of disputes. Australia has been a vocal critic of China's assertive behavior in the South China Sea, and has said that it will work with its allies to uphold the rules-based order in the region. The defence minister, Richard Marles, in August confirmed Australia would work more closely with the Asian nation on joint patrols.

In addition to security and defense, the talks are also expected to cover a range of other issues, including trade, investment, and climate change.

Albanese will be traveling to India later today for the G20 summit in New Delhi.

China vows to work with Australia to 'improve strategic partnership'

After news emerged that Anthony Albanese would be travelling to Beijing to meet the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, later this year, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson was invited to issue an official response at its regular press briefing last night. Asked to confirm the visit and provide more details, a spokesperson, Mao Ning, said: "China welcomes Prime Minister Albanese to visit China at the invitation of Premier Li Qiang and stands ready to work with Australia to make sound preparations for the visit. China always believes that a sound and stable China-Australia relationship is in the fundamental interests of the peoples of both countries, and conducive to peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific and the wider world. We intend to work with Australia to deliver on the common understandings between the leaders of the two countries, uphold the spirit of mutual respect and mutual benefit, properly handle differences, and continue to improve and grow our comprehensive strategic partnership."