As the Philippines and China traded accusations after an encounter between their vessels in the disputed waters, the U.S. joined Japan in conducting maritime exercises in the South China Sea.
The Philippine military announced on Sunday that the five-day exercises from July 21 to 25 included warships, Coast Guard vessels, surveillance and fighter planes in operations designed to improve interoperability between allies.
The drills were part of a series that has increased in scope and frequency over the past few years, as the Philippines, supported by the U.S.?and Japan?, sought to counter China’s expansive claims in the South China Sea.
In a press release, the?military stated that the drills “underlined the enduring partnership between the partner nations to promote peace, stability and security in Indo-Pacific.”
The exact location of the exercises was not disclosed. Previous joint drills have seen Chinese coast guard and?navy vessels operating in the area.
The exercises started a day after a Filipino seaman was allegedly hit with a baton by Chinese Coast Guard personnel at Second Thomas Shoal. China claimed that Philippine vessels attacked first, and then rammed Chinese boats.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported that its Chinese counterpart fired water cannons at Philippine government ships?near Scarborough Shoal both on Thursday and Friday. China claimed that it had taken legal measures against Philippine vessels who “insisted” on encroaching.
The Philippines’ new chief-of-staff of the armed services,?Antonio Nafarrete, visited the Philippine occupied Thitu Island, in the disputed Spratly Islands, located about 300 miles (480 kilometers) west of the Philippine Province of Palawan.
Nafarrete assured troops on the island that they were essential to the guarding of the outpost. He also pledged his support in strengthening their operational capabilities.
China rejects an arbitral ruling from 2016 that invalidated its claims. (Reporting and editing by Christopher Cushing; Nestor Corrales)
(source: Reuters)