Military Exercises Held by US, Japan, Australia, and Philippines in South China Sea

The United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines conducted their inaugural joint naval exercises on Sunday, showcasing anti-submarine warfare training in the South China Sea. This region has been a focal point of concern due to Beijing’s assertive actions to establish its territorial claims.

According to a statement from the Philippines’ armed forces, the drills took place within the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone and involved aircraft and naval vessels, including the USS Mobile, HMAS Warrumanga, and JS Akebono.

The exercises focused on enhancing interoperability among the four countries through communication activities and officer maneuver practices on watch, as outlined by the statement.

China’s military announced that it had conducted air and sea patrols to maintain control over activities in the South China Sea. This seemed to be a response to the joint exercises by the United States and its allied nations.

Defense leaders from the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines stated that the purpose of these joint exercises was to uphold the rule of law and the right to freedom of navigation and overflight in the sea.

China has ongoing territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea, which serves as a crucial shipping route.

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The Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command released a brief statement confirming the organization of patrols to maintain control over activities in the South China Sea. There was no direct mention of the United States or the joint exercises in their statement.

Similarly, the United States and its allies refrained from mentioning China in their statement but reiterated their support for the 2016 international arbitration ruling, which invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.

Current tensions in the disputed waters are expected to be a significant topic of discussion during the summit at the White House this week, where U.S. President Joe Biden will meet with his Japanese and Philippine counterparts.

Last year, the Chinese foreign ministry cautioned against military exercises by the United States and its allies in the contested waters, citing concerns about security and territorial interests.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the exercises as a demonstration of the shared commitment to upholding international law that allows countries the freedom to operate in the region lawfully.

Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles stressed the importance of respecting national sovereignty and adhering to agreed rules and norms based on international law to maintain regional stability. Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. highlighted the drills on Sunday as the beginning of a series of activities aimed at enhancing the Philippines’ self-defense capabilities.

Aside from China and the Philippines, the South China Sea disputes involve Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan. However, tensions between Beijing and Manila have been particularly heightened since last year.

While the United States does not stake a claim in the strategic waterway, it has reiterated its commitment to defending its longtime ally, the Philippines, in the event of an armed attack in the South China Sea.

China has warned the United States against intervening in the disputes within the region.

In a recent incident, the Chinese coast guard deployed water cannons, resulting in injuries to a Filipino admiral and four navy personnel, as well as significant damage to their supply boat near the Second Thomas Shoal. The Philippine government lodged a strong protest with the Chinese embassy diplomat in Manila following this confrontation.

Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.