Tri-Nation Maritime Collaboration Strengthens in South China Sea

The Philippines, United States, and Japan conducted a maritime cooperative exercise within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea to enhance defense interoperability. This activity follows recent tensions at Scarborough Shoal between the Philippines and China.

The armed forces of the Philippines, United States, and Japan initiated a joint maritime cooperative activity Friday within Manila's exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, according to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

This exercise focuses on bolstering the interoperability of military tactics, techniques, and procedures, as highlighted in a statement by the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Coincidentally, this cooperative effort occurs just two days after a maritime encounter between the Philippines and China at the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.