US-Philippines begin 9-nation naval drills in South China Sea

Manila – Shoving away the pressure of China’s expansionist activities, the Philippines has taken an aggressive stance and again challenged China in the South China Sea region. An eight-nation comprehensive and multi-purpose naval drill with the US began Monday in the Philippine maritime area. China had expressed a strong resentment over this war exercise conducted near the South China Sea. It is the second time in the last three months that the US has conducted an extensive war exercise with the Philippines in the South China Sea region.

South China Sea

Besides, there has been a major tension between the Philippines and China over the activities of the South China Sea for the last two months. China had stopped a Philippine ship from providing aid in August. Photographs of a Chinese coast guard ship attacking a Philippine vessel with a water cannon had also surfaced. Eventually, shoving away China’s pressure, the Philippines sent aid ships twice. Apart from this, the Philippine Coast Guard also removed the floating buoys blocking Philippine vessels last month.

Moreover, China has been infuriated due to the aggressive response of the Philippines. China is continuously threatening the Filipino leadership and trying to provoke by intruding into the maritime region. However, disapproving of the pressure of these Chinese actions, the Philippines seems to be taking a firm and intensive stance. These naval drills of the Philippines, conducted with the US and other countries, are a part of it.

Furthermore, the Samasama 2023 naval drill started on Monday on the southern side of Luzon province. In addition to the Philippines and the United States, the navies of seven nations are involved. The Philippine Navy (PN) informed that about 2,000 marines and officers were part of the exercise. Nonetheless, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, France, and Canada have also participated in this exercise until October 13. The Philippine Navy official said that the emphasis will be on anti-submarine and electronic warfare in this exercise.

This exercise, which will last for about two weeks, is claimed to be a warning to China, which lays claim over the South China Sea. Formerly, the US, the Philippines, Japan and Australia held naval exercises in the South China Sea region in August. At the same time, in July, a multi-purpose war drill was organised with the initiative of Indonesia and the US.

After the change of power in the Philippines, the leadership of this country has adopted an aggressive anti-China stance regarding the South China Sea. Nonetheless, Philippine President Marcos Jr. demanded China respect the decision of the International Court of Justice in 2016 and retreat from the Philippines’ maritime border. Also, the Philippine President has emphasised enhanced cooperation with the US, India, Japan and Australia to garner the support of friendly countries against Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.

Moreover, the United States supports China’s neighbouring Southeast Asian countries. Due to this, China has become restless and begun to spew fire against the US. China had alleged that the US was forming anti-China groups with the help of the nations from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).

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