The Latest: VP Pence reaffirms ties with Australia

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence delivers a speedh during his visit at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, April 20, 2017. Pence praised Indonesia’s democracy and moderate form of Islam on Thursday alongside the president of the world’s most populous Muslim nation, reinforcing his message with a visit to the region’s largest mosque. (Mast Irham/Pool Photo via AP)

SYDNEY (AP) — The Latest on U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s trip to Asia and Australia (all times local):

10 a.m.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence’s visit to Australia is beginning with a reaffirmation of the two allies’ strong ties.

Pence was greeted in Sydney on Saturday by Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove. Cosgrove says the relationship is “as strong today” as it was since “the first time we saw each other on the battlefield in 1919.”

Cosgrove says the alliance that started during World War I “started an unbreakable relationship.” He also says: “We’ve been with you every step of the way.”

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9:20 p.m.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence has arrived in Sydney for a weekend visit that will include meetings with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and other top officials.

Pence landed in Australia on Friday night, his latest stop on a 10-day tour through Asia.

He’s expected to meet with Turnbull, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, opposition leader Bill Shorten and others. Pence and his family are also scheduled to tour the Sydney Opera House and other landmarks.

The visit follows Pence’s stops in South Korea, Japan and Indonesia for events focused on national security, trade and economic development.