The United States, the Philippines, Japan and Australia are conducting military exercises in the South China Sea on Sunday.
This is reported by the Manila Times.
As noted, the exercises are taking place against the background of China's increasing aggressiveness at sea and recent skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine ships. At the same time, the allies call the maneuvers “joint maritime activities”, which should demonstrate their readiness to strengthen cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In a joint statement, the four countries emphasized that their joint naval and air force activities will be carried out in a manner consistent with international law, national laws and regulations, and with due regard for the safety of navigation, the rights and interests of other states.
«It will also demonstrate professional interaction between the Navy and the Air Force. Ultimately, joint maritime activities will enhance the interoperability of our doctrines, tactics, methods and defense procedures.», – the statement says.
Washington, Manila, Tokyo and Canberra said they support all countries in protecting the international order based on the rule of law, which is the basis for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.
The four countries said they support the decision of the International court regarding the South China Sea from 2016 and consider it final and legally binding for the parties to the dispute, by which China's claims to almost the entire water area of the sea were recognized as illegal and the sovereign rights of the Philippines over marine resources within its exclusive (marine) economic zones were confirmed.
According to the Philippine Ministry of Defense, five warships will take part in the exercises, in particular, the Philippine maritime patrol vessels Gregorio del Pilar and Ramon Alcaraz, the coastal combat ship of the US Navy USS Mobile, two frigates – the Japanese JS Akebono and the Australian HMAS Warramunga.
Philippines Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said that a series of bilateral and multilateral joint naval operations is a step in building the country's capacity for individual and collective self-defense and a component of the country's new defense concept.