MELBOURNE, Australia — Philippine Secretary of Defense Gilberto Teodoro said Tuesday he does not expect the next administration of President-elect Donald Trump to require the Philippines to pay more for military protection as the two allies face the common threat from China.

Teodoro was speaking at a press conference with Australia’s Defense Minister Richard Marles following an inaugural bilateral annual meeting aimed at improving security ties.

Asked whether Trump would expect the Philippines, like Taiwan, pay for American protectionTeodoro responded: “I really don’t expect any kind of statement from Mr. Trump, I hope not.”

“I really don’t have any preconditions or assumptions about the outcome of this administration except what we’re working on — on the institutional connections,” he said.

“We have an interest, both the United States and the Philippines, in ensuring that our partnership continues because of – not totally, but mainly – … common threats. And that is undoubtedly China’s overreach and aggressive and illegal activities,” he added.

Marles said Australia was confident that whatever the outcome of the US presidential election, Australia’s alliance with Washington would remain in “good shape”.

“What we see in the election of President Trump and the formation of his administration is an administration that will maintain America’s leadership role in the world, which is really important in terms of maintaining the rules-based world order, which is very important. this is in Australia’s national interest,” Marles said.

Last week, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed two laws reaffirming the extent of its country’s maritime territories and its right to resources, including in the South China Sea, angering China, which claims almost the entirety of the highly controversial waterway.

China’s Foreign Ministry said it had summoned the Philippine ambassador to China to lodge a “severe protest.” The ministry condemned the move, calling it an attempt to “consolidate the illegal decision in the South China Sea arbitration case through domestic legislation.”

Clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guards and naval forces in the disputed sea passage have increased alarmingly since last year. This has raised fears that the United States – long-time allies of Manila – could find itself drawn into a major conflict.

The laws, called the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and the Philippine Archipelagic Seaways Act, were signed by Marcos in a nationally televised ceremony attended by top military and national security officials . They further reinforce Manila’s rejection of Chinese claims to almost the entire maritime passage and provide for prison sentences and heavy fines for violators.