ON her first visit to the Indo-Pacific region, Minister for Asia Amanda Milling traveled to the Philippines as part of her first visit to the region—the first by a Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office minister since the United Kingdom’s confirmation as an Asean dialogue-partner.
During her three-day trip, Milling met with senior members of the Philippine government to explore ways to further strengthen the bilateral relationship. She discussed trade and investments, climate change, regional security, the pandemic, as well as human rights.
“The Indo-Pacific is of huge strategic importance to the UK,” the minister affirmed. “In the Philippines, a founding member of Asean, I reiterated our commitment to working with the region on vital issues such as maritime security and building back better after [the public-health crisis].”
While in Manila, the minister also met with business leaders from top UK companies, as well as local journalists to discuss media freedom.
The minister’s arrival, which coincided with 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and the Philippines, marked the first stop on her tour of the Indo-Pacific, which will also see her visit Singapore and Japan.
