AS far back as we can remember, it was the first time that the Philippines, Japan, Australia and the United States held joint naval drills in the South China Sea (SCS) for these navies usually work in two’s when conducting such military exercises, such as the annual Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and the US militaries.
The convergence of these nations’ warships at this time, and the four nations’ choice of venue for such naval drills, which is the SCS, show the importance of cooperation, commonality and interoperability to their overall defense and security positions. This naval exercise was held several days before US President Joe Biden hosts the first trilateral summit with President Marcos Jr. and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in Washington D.C.
The four allied countries said the maritime cooperative activity (MCA) held yesterday demonstrates their “collective commitment” to strengthen cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. They also said they stand with all nations in safeguarding the international order based on the rule of law that is the foundation for regional peace and stability.
‘…China is not China if it passively looks the other way in the face of this challenge.’
In a joint statement on Saturday, the four said the MCA will be conducted by naval/maritime and air force units “in a manner that is consistent with international law as well as domestic laws and rules of respective nations, and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.”
“It will also demonstrate professional interactions among naval/maritime and air forces.
Ultimately, the MCA will strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures,” it also said.
Both the joint statement and the ongoing military exercises are relevant to the Philippines because they validate official claims of international support to its 2016 legal victory in the arbitral tribunal that granted the Philippines sovereign rights over marine resources within its exclusive economic zone.
“Our four nations reaffirm the position regarding the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute,” they said.
Pro-China propagandists in Manila have always claimed that no such international support or recognition exists, but the unconditional statements from the defense ministers or secretaries of Australia, Japan and the US prove them wrong.
Richard Marles, deputy prime minister and Australian defense minister, said his country is committed to working with partners to maintain the global rules-based order. Defense Minister Kihara Minoru of Japan said his country “opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo by force, such attempts as well as any actions that increase tensions in the South China Sea.”
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III said, “Every country should be free to conduct lawful air and maritime operations. These activities with our allies Australia, Japan, and the Philippines underscore our shared commitment to ensuring that all countries are free to fly, sail, and operate wherever international law allows. Our operations together support peace and stability at the heart of our shared vision for a free and open region.”
Meanwhile, China is not China if it passively looks the other way in the face of this challenge. So right after our northern neighbor criticized the MCA, it mounted its own version of a maritime security activity or naval drills in the areas in the SCS which it controls.
China’s annoyance is evident in its terse rejoinder: “All military activities that mess up the situation in the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control.”
Since naval warships are involved on both sides – not just the civilian Coast Guards –we hope that the US-led naval drills and China’s military exercise will try hard to observe relevant international laws on these activities and avoid direct confrontation.
