Tensions have escalated again in the South China Sea after the navies of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted joint military exercises aimed at enhancing maritime security cooperation and boosting their joint operational capabilities.
The navies of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea amid tensions between China and Japan. The Philippine military stated that the drills reflect the partners' ongoing commitment to strengthening cooperation, enhancing maritime security, and improving maritime situational awareness in the Indo-Pacific region.
Since 2023, the Philippines has worked with multiple countries to affirm its maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, a resource-rich area crucial to international trade routes.
Meanwhile, China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea and rejects the 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration, which found China's historical claims lacked legal basis.
For this exercise, the Philippines deployed the frigate BRP Antonio Luna along with helicopters and fighter aircraft.
Japan contributed P-3 Orion patrol aircraft, while the US sent the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft. The training activities included at-sea replenishment, joint air patrols, show-of-force flyovers, and testing of communication and coordination systems.
Previously, the Philippines conducted similar joint exercises with Australia and the United States on 15–16 February.
Analysts view these joint military exercises in the South China Sea not only as preparations for combat readiness but also as strategic signals affirming stability and freedom of navigation in this disputed region.
As China continues to assert sovereignty over most of the South China Sea, the actions of the Philippines, Japan, and the United States are seen as efforts to balance influence in the Indo-Pacific region, which is vital to global economic and security interests.
:Sourcechannelnewsasia
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