The Philippines, Australia, and Canada have conducted joint naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, amid rising tensions between China and the Southeast Asian nation.
The drills, which took place east of the Scarborough Shoal, a flashpoint for confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels, focused on simulations to counter aerial threats “through coordinated defensive measures.”
The Philippine military said the joint exercises with Australia and Canada demonstrated a “commitment to advancing defence cooperation with like-minded nations.”
The drills involved three warships and military aircraft, with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal ship sailing in formation with Australia’s HMAS Brisbane and Canada’s HMCS Ville de Quebec.
The exercises are part of the largest military drills Australia has staged with the Philippines, Exercise ALON 2025, which involves more than 3,600 military personnel taking part in 15 days of live-fire drills and manoeuvres.
Australian Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Raven said the drills showed that Australia could deploy a combat-ready and combat-capable force within the Indo-Pacific to assist a security partner such as the Philippines.
“This shows we can deploy a combat-ready and combat-capable force within the Indo-Pacific to assist a security partner such as the Philippines,” Raven said.
The Scarborough Shoal has been a point of contention between China and the Philippines, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the area. China has repeatedly warned that it would defend the shoal and outlying waters, which it claims as its own territory.
The joint drills come after a recent collision between two Chinese vessels near the Scarborough Shoal, which was caught on video by the Philippines. Satellite images show the badly damaged Chinese coastguard vessel is now under repair at a naval base on Hainan Island.
Chinese officials have not commented on the collision, but Beijing has accused Philippine vessels of conducting “dangerous manoeuvres” without referring directly to the collision.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected Beijing’s sweeping claims to the entire South China Sea in a landmark 2016 ruling. However, China rejects the ruling and continues to press its territorial claims in the sea, backed up by its naval, coastguard, and militia vessels.
The joint exercises by Australia, Canada, and the Philippines are seen as a demonstration of their commitment to defending their interests in the South China Sea. The drills also highlight the growing security cooperation between the three countries in the region.
The joint naval drills in the South China Sea are a significant development in the region, demonstrating the commitment of Australia, Canada, and the Philippines to defending their interests and promoting stability in the area.
The drills also underscore the ongoing tensions between China and the Southeast Asian nation, and the need for continued diplomatic efforts to resolve the disputes in the region.