The armed forces of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 5, reinforcing regional security and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Naval and air force units from the four nations will coordinate operations to improve interoperability and strengthen defense cooperation. The activity will be carried out in accordance with international law, ensuring respect for freedom of navigation, overflight rights, and other lawful uses of the sea.
This initiative highlights the commitment of participating nations to upholding maritime rights as outlined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The operation will also prioritize safe navigation while considering the interests of other states in the region.
The Indo-Pacific region has been a focal point for maritime security discussions, with concerns over territorial disputes and freedom of movement in contested waters.
The Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command (STC) air force conducted a routine patrol over Huangyan Dao, a spokesperson said Tuesday. The spokesperson accused the Philippines of colluding with external countries for "joint patrols" to destabilize the South China Sea. The STC air force remains on high alert to defend China's sovereignty and maritime rights, with all military activities in the region under control.
The exercise follows Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s statement that he may remove a U.S. missile system if China halts what he called its "aggressive and coercive behavior" in the South China Sea. Tensions have risen after repeated maritime confrontations, with Manila reporting the arrest of a Chinese national and two Filipino accomplices for unauthorized surveillance involving high-precision mapping equipment. On January 24, the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources reported aggressive maneuvers by Chinese Coast Guard ships and a Chinese Navy helicopter against its vessels. Philippine ships have also faced water cannon attacks and other harassment in recent months.