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The United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines are poised to conduct their first collaborative naval drills in the South China Sea on Sunday to address concerns over Beijing’s assertive territorial claims.
These exercises are a unified effort to “safeguard the rule of law that is the foundation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region,” according to a joint statement by the defense chiefs of the four nations. According to the joint statement, the countries aim to uphold the principles of freedom of navigation and overflight in the region. Though the statement did not explicitly name China, it clearly referred to the 2016 international arbitration ruling that invalidated Beijing’s extensive territorial claims, describing the decision as “final and legally binding.”
China’s stance has been one of outright rejection of the arbitration outcome, a point emphasized by its refusal to participate in the process initiated by the Philippines following a tense maritime standoff in 2013. The silence from Beijing was notable, especially considering the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s previous statements cautioning against such military collaborations as potentially harmful to China’s security and territorial interests.
Defense Secretary’s Comment:
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin commented on the drills, saying they “underscore our shared commitment to ensuring that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows.”
Philippines Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. noted that the military drills between the four countries are part of a series of actions the Philippines is taking to build “capacity for individual and collective self-defense.”
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said, “Respect for national sovereignty and agreed rules and norms based on international law underpin the stability of our region.”
Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara echoed this sentiment, adding, “Japan opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by force, such as attempts as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.”
