On Wednesday, the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Philippines conducted joint air and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, to promote the rule of law amidst escalating territorial claims by China. In a counteraction, China reported conducting its own air and sea combat patrols the same day. The Philippine military noted that three Chinese navy ships trailed the four-nation manoeuvres off the western coast of the Philippines, though further details were not provided.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, along with top military and defence commanders from Australia, Canada, and the Philippines, issued a joint statement emphasising their collective resolve to address common maritime challenges and uphold international law and the rules-based order. The commanders highlighted that the two-day exercises aim to ensure unhindered passage in the Indo-Pacific region.

China, which claims much of the South China Sea—a vital global trade and security route—has vowed to defend its territorial interests at all costs. These claims overlap with those of smaller coastal states, including the Philippines and Vietnam, obstructing their access to traditional fishing areas and disrupting oil and gas exploration in their internationally recognised exclusive economic zones.

“The naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together, enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces,” the commanders said. “The activity will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.”

The Philippine military reported that Wednesday’s drills included combined sea passage manoeuvres and communications exercises, with assault helicopters flying low over navy ships on the high seas. An anti-submarine warfare drill was also planned.

Rear Adm. Roy Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippine Navy, clarified that the exercises were not aimed at any specific country but served as “a collective expression of support for a rules-based international order.”

In an apparent response to the exercises, China conducted joint sea and air combat patrols on Wednesday near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed territory in the South China Sea. However, the Philippine military stated that it did not observe any Chinese combat patrols at the shoal.

A brief statement from China’s Southern Theatre Command acknowledged awareness of “military activities that disrupt the South China Sea,” asserting that these activities were “under control.” China frequently accuses the U.S., the Philippines, and other nations of undermining regional peace and stability through their military actions.

Paparo and the other military commanders, Adm. David Johnston of the Australian Defense Force, Gen. Jennie Carignan of the Canadian Armed Forces and Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said their countries “uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law.”

They did not name China but said their nations affirm a 2016 arbitration ruling on the South China Sea disputes “as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute.” The ruling invalidated China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, but Beijing refused to participate in the Philippines-initiated arbitration, rejected the decision and continues to defy it.

Hostilities in the disputed waters have intensified, particularly between Chinese and Philippine coast guard and naval forces at two contested shoals since last year. This has renewed fears that these confrontations could escalate into a larger armed conflict involving the United States, a longstanding treaty ally of the Philippines.

Following a violent confrontation on June 17 at the Philippine-occupied Second Thomas Shoal in the South China Sea, China and the Philippines reached a temporary agreement last month to prevent further clashes.

Image source: AP