The United States, Australia and Philippines have conducted their second joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea this year, signalling strengthened defence coordination in the disputed region.
The four-day drills, held from April 9 to 12, involved warships, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft in coordinated operations aimed at enhancing maritime defence capabilities, according to the Philippine military.
The exercises highlighted the “deepening defence cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional security”, the military said.
The Philippines deployed FA-50 fighter jets, while Australia contributed P-8A Poseidon aircraft, and the US deployed the USS Ashland, a dock landing ship.
The drills come ahead of the annual Balikatan war games scheduled to begin on April 20, which will, for the first time, include Japan as a full participant alongside Australia.
The exercises take place against a backdrop of rising tensions between Philippines and China over incidents in the South China Sea, including a recent encounter where Beijing fired flares at a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft.
Responding to the drills, Zhai Shichen said China’s navy conducted routine patrols in the same waters during the exercise period.
“In an attempt to stir up troubles in the region, the Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea,” he said.
“Forces of the STC will resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.”
Beijing has consistently opposed Manila’s joint military activities with allied nations in the region, arguing that such exercises heighten tensions in the strategic waterway.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
