In a strategic move that underscores the evolving dynamics of power in the Asia-Pacific region, the Philippines, in collaboration with the United States, Australia, and Canada, has initiated extensive military drills in the contentious South China Sea.
With the rise of China’s expansionist tendencies, the Philippines has initiated numerous military drills and exercises to reinforce international law and bolster its maritime defense capabilities amidst the growing tensions between China and the Philippines. This aggressive maritime activity has elicited a response from China, which held joint naval and air combat patrols in the Scarborough Shoal.
Philippines and China: The Long-Standing Conflict
For the past 18 months, there has been an increase in violent confrontations. Both countries have tried to resort to diplomacy to resolve the issues; however, the negotiations have reached an impasse, as both states seem to release contradictory statements regarding what was agreed upon during the negotiations in July 2024.
The negotiations were a result of the clash that occurred on June 17 between the Chinese coast guard and Filipino sailors. Eight Chinese motorboats rammed and boarded two Filipino vessels that were transporting daily supplies to the Philippine military in the disputed waters of Second Thomas Shoal.
The Chinese view the Philippine presence on the Second Thomas Shoal (which lies on the continental shelf of the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines) as temporary and demand that Filipino vessels and resupply missions provide prior notification and allow on-site verification by the Chinese coast guard. The Philippines denies these conditions, leading to a failure in negotiations. The vulnerability of the Philippines and the growing assertiveness of China have prompted the Philippines and many other countries to put aside their differences and form joint alliances to counter China’s threat.
Philippines and Vietnam: ASEAN Countries Unite in the Face of Growing Threat
Both the Philippines and Vietnam have been vocal against China’s claim to the South China Sea and uphold the South China Sea arbitration decision of 2016. Recent developments in the region have nudged the two nations to set aside their differences and boost coast guard cooperation in the region.
On Monday, a Vietnamese vessel sailed to Manila, Philippines, for a four-day goodwill visit. On August 7, the coast guards of both nations conducted their first joint exercise involving search and rescue operations, naval exercises, humanitarian assistance, and medical aid. Vietnam’s ship CSB 8002 cooperated with the Philippines’ patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang for the joint drills in the region.
Maritime Drills of Australia, USA, Canada, and the Philippines
An open and secure passage through the South China Sea, a key trade route, is essential for the global economy. To ensure that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is followed, many Western nations have initiated multilateral military exercises in the Indo-Pacific region. The aim of these exercises is to address common maritime issues and support a rules-based order.
The exercises were carried out on Wednesday within the exclusive economic zone, which includes the West Philippine Sea. The joint statement from Canada’s Department of National Defence said that the naval and air force units of the nations would operate together to enhance cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces. The drills involved early-warning reconnaissance, fast maneuvering, joint strike capabilities tests, and anti-submarine warfare training.
The Philippine delegation includes the missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal with an AW-159 “Wildcat” anti-submarine helicopter and the offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Australia sent a Poseidon aircraft, while Canada deployed the HMCS Montreal and a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. The USS Lake Erie represented the U.S., accompanied by a Sikorsky MH-60R “Seahawk” helicopter.
The four nations issued a unified statement that underscored their shared commitment to preserving international law, particularly the freedom of navigation and overflight.
China’s Response to the Philippines
In response to the ongoing military drills in the region, the Chinese military concurrently conducted air and sea combat patrols near the Scarborough Shoal. The armed forces of the Philippines also confirmed in a statement the presence of three PLA Navy vessels tailing the ongoing military drills.
The Southern Theatre Command of China’s People’s Liberation Army said on Wednesday that the patrol was conducted to test their striking capabilities and capacity. The command also reaffirmed their regional ambitions by indirectly calling out the military drills as disruptive and undermining regional peace and stability.
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