South China Sea: Japan, Philippines hold first joint naval exercise

“This activity was part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen regional and international cooperation towards realising a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa (front left) and Philippine Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro sign the Reciprocal Access Agreement in Manila on July 8 to allow the deployment of troops on each other’s territory. Photo: AFP

The two vessels held a communications exercise and undertook tactical manoeuvres in the West Philippine Sea, Manila’s name for parts of the South China Sea that are closest to the Philippine coast.

These “enhanced the tactical capabilities of the Philippine navy and the (Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force) and reinforced the strong ties and mutual commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region”, the statement added.

A similar exercise was held two days earlier, also in South China Sea waters close to the Philippines, between the Filipino navy patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz and the US Navy’s littoral combat ship USS Mobile.

09:23

History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing

The Philippines and Japan are longtime allies of the United States, which has been strengthening its alliances from Canberra to Tokyo to counter China’s growing military might and influence in the region.

The deepening of Philippine-Japanese security ties comes as China’s sabre-rattling towards Taiwan and over the South China Sea fuels fears of a potential conflict that could drag in the United States.

There have been escalating confrontations at sea between Chinese and Philippine ships as Beijing steps up efforts to push its claims to nearly all of the strategic South China Sea.

Темы и теги

Япония Военные Действия

Южно-Китайское море военно-морской учение совместный первый Индо-Тихоокеанский регион усилие укрепление деятельность