A US carrier strike group led by USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) has arrived in the Philippines for a scheduled port call on Friday following a two-day maritime cooperative activity with the country in the South China Sea.
The Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 is currently deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“Our two countries share democratic values, close cultural ties and our alliance has stood strong for over 72 years. As our oldest treaty ally in East Asia, the Philippines has shown their unwavering commitment in helping secure a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region,” Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of CSG-1 said.
Together with the USS Carl Vinson were the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59), and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).
The US Department of Defense said this visit marks an additional demonstration of the US-Philippines alliance and Washington DC’s broader commitment to the region.
During their stay in Manila, sailors from CSG-1 will participate in cultural exchanges and community relations events, among others.
Preceding their arrival, CSG-1 also conducted trilateral maritime exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy.
China on Friday meanwhile said it considers the recent joint maritime activity of the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea as “provocative,” although it also conducted similar exercises.
Wang Wenbin, spokesman for China’s Foreign Ministry, said what the Philippines and the US did would not address the current dispute at sea.
The Chinese official made the statement after the Philippine and US navies held a two-day Maritime Cooperative Activity to bolster regional security and stability in the waters,
“We would like to stress that the US and the Philippines’ muscle-flexing, provocative military activities in the South China Sea are not conducive to managing the situation on the sea and handling maritime disputes,” Wang said in a media briefing on Friday.
Wang then urged concerned parties in the South China Sea “to stop the irresponsible moves” as well as “respect regional countries’ effort to uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea.”
“China will continue to firmly safeguard our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and make active efforts to uphold peace and tranquility in the region,” he added.
On Monday, the Philippines and the US started their joint exercises in the South China Sea in an activity that is “designed to support” the longstanding partnership between the two militaries and “further advance” combined capabilities in the maritime domain, according to the US Defense Department.
The Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar, BRP Ramon Alcaraz and BRP Davao del Sur joined USS Carl Vinson, USS Princeton, USS Kidd and USS Sterett to sail in the waters and enhance planning and maritime communications operations.