Australia Joins US and Japan to Counter Beijing’s Aggression in South China Sea

Australia, US, and Japan Unite to Combat Beijing’s Hostility in South China Sea

April 3, 2024 TruthUSA

As tensions rise in the waters of the Philippines, the three countries will conduct joint naval exercises this weekend as a display of solidarity.

With Manila and Beijing engaged in a dispute over the South China Sea, Australia will join forces with the Philippines and Japan in joint naval exercises this weekend to show support for the Philippines.

Beijing has long laid claim to almost the entire Sea, patrolling it with coastguard vessels, some of which are more than 1,000 km (620 miles) from its mainland.

Ongoing conflicts with neighboring nations have led to on-water confrontations, including the use of water cannon and heated verbal exchanges. Most recently, Beijing tried to disrupt supply missions to Filipino soldiers stationed on a grounded warship within its claimed waters.

The BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era landing ship deliberately grounded by the Philippines on the disputed Second Thomas Shoal (or Ren’ai Jiao) in the Spratly Islands in 1999, was targeted by China using a water cannon during a resupply mission on March 23.

Located between the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia, the Spratly Islands are at the center of numerous overlapping territorial claims, including China’s expansive “nine-dash line.” Despite their limited inherent value, the islands are strategically positioned on a crucial trade and supply route.

The disputed Spratly Islands, where the Philippines has based troops stationed on a grounded warship. (Screenshot/Google Maps)

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Jonathan Malaya, a spokesperson for the Philippines National Security Council, cautioned that any interference by China with re-supply missions would be met with measures to protect Filipino troops.

He reiterated that the countermeasures against Beijing’s aggressive actions announced by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week would be multi-dimensional and not solely military.

In response to Beijing’s actions, Australia will participate in joint naval exercises off the Palawan coast this weekend alongside Japan, marking the first full-scale exercise involving all four countries.

Australia is sending the frigate Warramunga and an aircraft to join forces with a Japanese destroyer and several U.S. and Philippine ships in the maneuvers.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines confirmed the arrival of the Warramunga in Palawan port this week, with the Australian Defence Force describing it as part of an “Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment.”

U.S. Counting on Pacific Allies to Push Back Against Beijing

The drills are seen as a more assertive demonstration of the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific strategy, aimed at rallying partner nations to counteract Beijing’s increasing regional influence.

While Beijing may express displeasure at Australia’s participation in the exercises, it has stressed the importance of keeping South China Sea disputes bilateral and accused outside powers of interference.

Although the risk of minor conflicts escalating into larger confrontations remains low, Manila retains the option to invoke its mutual defense treaty with Washington if provoked by Beijing’s actions.

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