MANILA: The United States, Australia, Japan and the Philippines will hold joint naval and air drills in the South China Sea on Sunday, their defense chiefs said in a statement, as they strengthen cooperation to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
The exercise, termed as the “Maritime Cooperative Activity,” is set to take place within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, as stated in a joint statement released by the defense chiefs of the four nations. The drills aim to demonstrate their collective commitment to upholding a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The participating naval and air force units from all four countries will focus on enhancing interoperability and strengthening regional cooperation. While specific details about the drills were not disclosed, the Japanese embassy in Manila mentioned that “anti-submarine warfare training” would be part of the activities.
This collaborative effort comes ahead of the first trilateral summit between US President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Philippines and Japan, scheduled to take place shortly after the joint drills. The arrival of the Australian warship HMAS Warramunga at the Philippine island of Palawan earlier this week signals the ongoing efforts to bolster maritime security in the region.
The announcement of the drills follows recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs off the Southeast Asian country. In response, the United States has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines against armed aggression in the South China Sea, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and ensuring freedom of navigation.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the significance of the joint operations in promoting peace and stability in the region, underscoring the shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Meanwhile, talks between the Philippines and Japan for a defense pact, allowing troop deployment on each other’s territory, are still ongoing. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has expressed the need for Japan to play a more prominent role in providing options for Southeast Asian countries.
