Australian, Filipino, and U.S. Forces Conduct Joint Drills in the South China Sea
Australian, Filipino, and American military personnel participated in joint drills in the South China Sea, conducting air assault maneuvers and mock beach landings aimed at promoting peace and upholding the rule of law in the disputed region. The exercises, which involved 1,200 Australians, 560 Filipinos, and 120 U.S. Marines, took place in the Philippines and were the largest between Australia and the Philippines to date. While the three countries have been vocal critics of China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea, the combat drills were not specifically targeting Beijing.
The exercises began with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles observing the mock beach landings, assaults, and helicopter insertions of forces at a Philippine navy base. The drills aimed to enhance preparedness for any eventuality in the volatile region, as there have been numerous incidents that highlight the tensions in the area. In a news conference following the exercises, President Marcos emphasized the importance of being ready and expressed concern about the volatility of the region.
Australian Defense Minister Marles, in a separate news conference with his Philippine counterpart, Gilberto Teodoro Jr., emphasized that the drills were intended to promote the global rules-based order and the peaceful resolution of disputes through international law. He highlighted the need to protect and maintain the functionality of this order around the world, as it is under pressure in various regions. Marles and Teodoro also announced plans for joint patrols in the South China Sea, with the Australian defense chief suggesting that these patrols may commence soon.
During the drills, Australia and the Philippines reaffirmed their support for a 2016 ruling by an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, which invalidated China’s claim to nearly the entire South China Sea. The ruling upheld the Philippines’ control over resources in its exclusive economic zone. China, however, refused to participate in the arbitration and continues to disregard the ruling. Recent tensions in the region include a Chinese coast guard ship attempting to block a Philippine supply run and the passing of Filipino supply boats through a Chinese blockade.
The South China Sea disputes involve not only China and the Philippines but also Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan, creating a potential flashpoint in Asia and a delicate front in the U.S.-China rivalry. While China insists that it is a purely Asian dispute and warns against U.S. meddling, the United States has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if necessary. The U.S. continues to conduct patrols in the disputed waters to promote freedom of navigation and overflight.
The joint drills between Australia, the Philippines, and the U.S. aim to send a message to the region and the world that these countries are committed to upholding the global rules-based order and resolving disputes through international law. As tensions in the South China Sea persist, these exercises serve as a reminder of the importance of peaceful resolution and adherence to established legal frameworks in maintaining stability in the region.
