Joint Military Exercise of Philippine and Australian Forces in the South China Sea

Australian and Philippine military forces conducted a joint exercise near the waters of the South China Sea on Friday, September 25. Ferdinand Marcos, the President of the Philippines, described this exercise as a "very important" example of close cooperation between the two countries. According to Agence France-Presse, China has deployed hundreds of coast guard members, naval ships, and other vessels to patrol and strengthen its borders in the South China Sea, a region that China claims almost entirely as its own. This is despite the fact that China's stance on its "maritime sovereignty" in the South China Sea has no legal basis, as the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague rejected Beijing's claims to ownership of parts of the South China Sea and its resources years ago. Members of the Philippine coast guard observed a Chinese coast guard ship blocking their route to deliver equipment to a Philippine naval ship in the "disputed" South China Sea on August 22, 2023. The joint military maneuvers of Australia and the Philippines took place at a naval base about 240 kilometers east of Scarborough Shoal, a rich fishing area that China seized in 2012 following a tense political standoff. Ferdinand Marcos told reporters, "Given that there have been many events indicating regional instability, this type of exercise and close strategic cooperation among countries in the region is very important." He watched the exercise alongside Richard Marles, the Australian Defense Minister, and stated, "This is an important aspect of how we prepare for any potential [attack]." The exercise, which included air, sea, and land components, was the first major joint drill between Australia and the Philippines and simulated the retaking of an island under enemy control.