In a significant move aimed at addressing China’s growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea, the United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines have announced plans to conduct joint naval and air drills on April 7, 2024. This coordinated effort, named the “Maritime Cooperative Activity,” will be held within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and is strategically timed ahead of an upcoming trilateral summit involving US President Joe Biden and the leaders of the Philippines and Japan. The defense chiefs of these four nations emphasized that the joint exercise aims to showcase their collective commitment to increase regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
According to statements from the Japanese embassy in Manila, the drills will involve the participation of naval and air force units from all participating countries, focusing on enhancing interoperability in doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures, with a specific emphasis on anti-submarine warfare training. The decision to hold these joint drills and convene the upcoming summit follows ongoing tensions in the South China Sea, notably characterized by confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels near disputed reefs.
China has accused the Philippines of escalating tensions in the region, where longstanding maritime territorial disputes persist. In response, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reaffirmed America’s unwavering commitment to defending the Philippines against armed attacks in the South China Sea, highlighting the shared commitment to uphold international law and ensure freedom of navigation.
Meanwhile, ongoing talks between the Philippines and Japan for a defense pact allowing troop deployment on each other’s territory reflect Manila’s efforts to strengthen partnerships because of regional challenges. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has emphasized the need for Japan to play a larger role in providing options and support to Southeast Asian countries, aligning with broader efforts to foster trilateral cooperation in various sectors, including technology and energy development, with the United States and the Philippines.
The upcoming joint naval and air operations in the disputed South China Sea signal a deepening of ties among the participating nations. This exercise highlights their collective commitment to regional stability and the rule of law in the Indo-Pacific. China’s continued assertion of claims over contested waters, including those also claimed by the Philippines, Japan, and self-ruled Taiwan, has prompted the United States to strengthen alliances in the region, particularly with treaty allies Japan and the Philippines.
