US, Philippines and Japan hold military exercises in South China Sea

The armed forces of the United States, the Philippines, and Japan on Friday held joint maritime activities in the Philippines' 200-mile exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, parts of which are claimed by China.

This was reported by the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Ukrinform reports.

The exercises involved allied aircraft and warships, including a US P-8A Poseidon aircraft, Philippine patrol ships and a Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer.

Their aim was to enhance the interoperability of defence tactics, methods and procedures.

The Allies call such manoeuvres «joint maritime activities» to avoid the words «military exercises» and once again not to provoke China into a strong response.

«The United States together with our allies and partners supports the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other legitimate uses of the sea and international airspace, and respect for maritime rights in accordance with international law», the statement emphasized.

The allied naval exercises took place two days after the latest fierce clash between Philippine and Chinese vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, during which Chinese ships once again used water cannons against Philippine vessels and resorted to dangerous maneuvers to push them away shoal.

China claims the Scarborough Shoal, rich in fish and other resources, as its territory, even though it is 120 miles from the Philippines, within its 200-mile exclusive economic zone, and about 500 miles from China.

The shoal remains a major point of dispute over sovereignty and fishing rights between the Philippines and China.