The United States, Japan, and the Philippines are teaming up for joint naval patrols in the South China Sea. This move is seen as a response to China‘s increased military activity in the area. The plan for these patrols was first reported by Politico and is set to be officially announced at a summit on April 11, involving leaders from the three countries.
This will be the first time Japan‘s Maritime Self-Defense Force participates in such drills with the Philippines and the U.S., highlighting a growing concern over China‘s naval presence in the region, as reported by Japan’s Asahi Shimbun. The drills aim to be a strong display against China‘s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, especially after recent incidents where the Chinese coast guard used water cannons against Filipino vessels.
The upcoming summit between U.S. President Joe Biden, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to further solidify this “security triangle,” focusing on regional stability and China‘s actions in the disputed waters.
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This collaboration comes amid warnings from China, with state-run Global Times criticizing the patrols as a destabilizing effort led by the U.S. However, maritime security analyst Ray Powell highlighted that China often blames others for escalations while denying responsibility for its aggressive actions.
China‘s military recently conducted a live-fire exercise in the South China Sea, targeting “enemy” vessels, which has added tension to the situation. The training was described as preparation against harassment from armed fishing boats and Philippine Coast Guard vessels, hinting at a robust response to any confrontation.
As the South China Sea becomes a focal point of regional security concerns, the joint patrols by the US, Japan, and the Philippines symbolize a united stand against unilateral moves to alter the status quo in the disputed waters.
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