The United States, Japan, Australia and the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises in the disputed South China Sea, prompting China to launch naval and air patrols in response, according to Asian media.
Sunday’s exercise by the four countries in the Philippines‘ exclusive economic zone demonstrated a “commitment to strengthen regional and international co-operation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific through interoperability exercises in the maritime domain,” local media reported citing the military.
The Allies carried out communications, divisional tactics and other exercises. Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force destroyer Akebono, a US combat ship Mobile, the Royal Australian Navy frigate Warramunga, and the Philippine Navy frigate Antonio Luna participated in the drills.
The Chinese military conducted naval and air patrols in the South China Sea on Sunday to oppose joint drills by the four countries amid heightened tensions in the region. Territorial claims in the resource-rich South China Sea remain highly contentious, despite repeated calls for a negotiated settlement and avoidance of sovereignty violations.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), an international tribunal based in The Hague, ruled that China’s nine-dash line claim had no legal basis under international law.
