“Philippines, Canada, United States i Australia launched their first joint military exercise in the South China Sea on Wednesday, aimed at enhancing interoperability between their forces,” the countries said in a joint statement. “We face common maritime challenges together and underscore our shared commitment to upholding international law and the rules-based order,” it added.
The exercises will last two days and will be the first joint exercises of these four countries. Both navy and air force units will participate in them. The maneuvers will take place “in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.”
They were preceded by exercises by the Philippines and Japanwhich took place last week. In June, the US and the Japanese army took part in similar exercises, as well as separately with the Philippine army. The joint exercises are aimed at coordinating the actions of allies in the area they claim China.
Thick in the South China Sea. China begins “combat patrol”
Reuters reported on Wednesday's Chinese operations in the South China Sea. The military organized “combat patrol” in the area of Scarborough Reef. The information was provided by the Southern Theater Command in a post on the WeChat application.
The “combat patrol” is intended to test the Chinese army's rapid reconnaissance and early warning capabilities, as well as its rapid maneuvers and strikes.
Tensions Rise as Philippines Clashes with China
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea. It bases its claims on “historical evidence,” including old maps and maps. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China's claims have no legal basis. Beijing, however, disagreed with this decision.
This area is a sea route through which goods worth EUR 100,000 flow each year. billions of dollarsTensions have risen between the Philippines and China in recent years, with repeated incidents involving the Chinese Coast Guard and Philippine vessels.
Pages they constantly accuse each other of initiating aggressive actions.
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