The first maritime cooperative exercise by naval and air assets of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines was conducted Sunday in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) even as the Chinese military held its own air and naval drills in the contested waters.
“We’re just practicing what is allowed under international law. As I said, it’s a show of unity. If they (China) consider it as a show of force, that is up to them,” Defense Department spokesperson Arsenio Andolong told reporters.
The one-day activity was held within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone to demonstrate the four allied countries’ “collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Andolong said.
Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. said the sequence of bilateral and multilateral activities aims to enhance the Philippines’ capability for both individual and collective self-defense.
The initial set of activities showcases the lasting camaraderie and collaboration between the peace-oriented citizens of the Philippines, the United States, Australia, and Japan, according to a joint statement signed by the defense chiefs of the four countries.
The defense chiefs said the joint maritime activity also demonstrates the four countries’ “collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said “the drills…are intended to (ensure) that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”
There were no details in the statement on what the drills would precisely include.
The Japanese embassy in Manila said in a statement that “anti-submarine warfare training” would be included in the drills.
Earlier, President Marcos issued a strongly worded statement on March 28, vowing the country would not be “cowed into silence, submission, or subservience” by China.
Meanwhile, China conducted its own military “combat patrols” yesterday, its southern theater command said.
Beijing’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said it was organizing “joint naval and air combat patrols in the South China Sea.”
“All military activities that mess up the situation in the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control,” it said in a statement, in an apparent swipe at the other drills being held in the waters.
Further details about the Chinese military activities in the waterway were not disclosed.
The military exercises took place days before US President Joe Biden is due to hold the first trilateral summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan.
Top Washington officials have repeatedly declared the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea – to the consternation of Beijing.
China claims territorial sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea and has been increasingly assertive in the region in recent years. With AFP
