US, Japan, Australia and Philippines to hold South China Sea exercises
Sign up now: Get insights on Asia's fast-moving developments
The Philippines and China had several maritime run-ins in March that included the use of water cannon and heated verbal exchanges.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
MANILA - Defence forces of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines will conduct “maritime cooperative activity” on April 7 to support a free and open Indo-Pacific, the countries said on April 6, amid China’s growing assertiveness in the waterway.
The one-day maritime exercises will involve communication activities and officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres in Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, Philippine Defence Ministry spokesman Arsenio Andolong told reporters.
Littoral combat ship USS Mobile, Australian frigate HMAS Warramunga and Japanese destroyer JS Akebono will join two Philippine warships, Mr Andolong said.
“They will go from south... to the north, encompassing the boundary of western and northern command,” he said.
The activity will strengthen the interoperability of the countries’ armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques and procedures, the joint statement read.
The four nations have reaffirmed their position that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award
The maritime activity takes place days before a summit between the leaders of Japan, the US and the Philippines
Since taking power in 2022, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has pursued warmer ties with the US
The Philippines and China had several maritime run-ins in March
China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, which rankled neighbouring countries that dispute some boundaries they say cut into their exclusive economic zones.
Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam have competing claims of sovereignty in portions of the South China Sea, a passage through which US$3 trillion (S$4 trillion) in goods move every year. REUTERS
