The United States, Japan, and the Philippines conducted joint naval drills on Friday near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea to enhance crisis readiness as a Chinese military vessel monitored the exercises from a distance.
At one point, a Chinese frigate attempted to approach the area where warships and aircraft from the three allied nations were carrying out maneuvers.
However, a Philippine frigate issued a radio warning, prompting the Chinese vessel to keep its distance.
Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
These naval exercises in the South China Sea, known as the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity, were opened to a small group of Manila-based media for the first time since such drills began last year.
Throughout the daylong operation, the BRP Jose Rizal, the U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer DDG Shoup, and the Japanese multi-mission frigate JS Noshiro sailed in formation and coordinated via radio.
U.S. and Philippine helicopters patrolled the skies, while a team of American sailors from the DDG Shoup transferred to the BRP Jose Rizal via speedboat for discussions with their Filipino counterparts.
“These drills lead to vital improvements in our coordination, tactics, and shared maritime awareness,” Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said in a statement.
China’s Claims
China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, despite a 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated these claims—a decision Beijing rejected and continues to ignore.
While multiple nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, contest China’s territorial assertions, tensions between Chinese and Philippine forces have escalated significantly in the past two years.
In response, the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines have strengthened their security cooperation to counter China’s growing assertiveness in the region.
This trilateral security alliance took shape during the previous Biden administration and continues to expand.
Hegseth’s Philippines Tour
During his visit to Manila on Friday, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
He emphasised the need to reinforce such alliances to deter Chinese aggression in the disputed waters.
Following his visit to the Philippines, Hegseth is set to travel to Japan, a key U.S. treaty ally, to further discussions on regional security.
