Latest news with #MaritimeCooperativeActivity
The Mainichi
a day ago
- Politics
- The Mainichi
Philippines, Japan conduct joint exercise in South China Sea
ABOARD THE MIGUEL MALVAR, off Philippines (Kyodo) -- The Philippines and Japan conducted a joint maritime exercise Saturday in an area of the South China Sea that the Southeast Asian country insists it has jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying claims in the waters. The Miguel Malvar, a guided missile frigate from the Philippine Navy and the Takanami, a destroyer from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, took part in the exercise, which was held west of the town of Masinloc on the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The exercise, called the Maritime Cooperative Activity, is aimed at strengthening international cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Philippine military has said. Kyodo News and some other select members of the media from the Philippines and Japan were onboard the frigate and watched the ships conduct, among other things, an anti-submarine warfare drill that the two countries did not conduct during their first such exercise last August. The Philippines has reported repeated incursions by Chinese vessels in its exclusive economic zone, some sailing to within some 50 nautical miles of Luzon's shore earlier this year. China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated the country's claims over almost the entire South China Sea. Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement to facilitate joint exercises and disaster relief operations last July, and aside from holding bilateral drills the two countries have also taken part in multilateral exercises involving the United States and Australia, among others.
Kyodo News
a day ago
- Business
- Kyodo News
Philippines, Japan conduct joint exercise in South China Sea
KYODO NEWS - 3 minutes ago - 18:17 | All, World, Japan The Philippines and Japan conducted a joint maritime exercise Saturday in an area of the South China Sea that the Southeast Asian country insists it has jurisdiction over, amid China's intensifying claims in the waters. The Miguel Malvar, a guided missile frigate from the Philippine Navy and the Takanami, a destroyer from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force, took part in the exercise, which was held west of the town of Masinloc on the Philippines' main island of Luzon. The exercise, called the Maritime Cooperative Activity, is aimed at strengthening international cooperation to achieve a free and open Indo-Pacific, the Philippine military has said. Kyodo News and some other select members of the media from the Philippines and Japan were onboard the frigate and watched the ships conduct, among other things, an anti-submarine warfare drill that the two countries did not conduct during their first such exercise last August. The Philippines has reported repeated incursions by Chinese vessels in its exclusive economic zone, some sailing to within some 50 nautical miles of Luzon's shore earlier this year. China rejects a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that invalidated the country's claims over almost the entire South China Sea. Japan and the Philippines signed a Reciprocal Access Agreement to facilitate joint exercises and disaster relief operations last July, and aside from holding bilateral drills the two countries have also taken part in multilateral exercises involving the United States and Australia, among others. Related coverage: China, ASEAN, Arab states hold 1st summit to bolster economic ties ASEAN leaders meet as U.S. tariffs rattle regional economies Japan PM hails "relations of trust" with Vietnam, Philippine leaders
Newsweek
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
US and Ally's Joint Forces Send Warning to China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The U.S. Coast Guard joined Philippine maritime forces in a series of joint exercises on Monday. The Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA)—the first to feature coast guard vessels from both countries—came as the allies continued to bolster security ties amid territorial tensions between the Southeast Asian nation and China. Why It Matters China asserts sovereignty over most of the South China Sea despite a 2016 ruling by an international arbitral tribunal dismissing its sweeping claims. These claims overlap with those of several neighboring countries. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed not to yield "even one square inch of our sovereign territory." Nevertheless, China has expanded its maritime presence into the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, sometimes leading to clashes and collisions at the Spratly Islands and other contested features. U.S. Coast Guard cutter the Stratton joints Philippine naval and coast guard forces in the sixth U.S.-Philippine Maritime Cooperative Activity on May 20, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard cutter the Stratton joints Philippine naval and coast guard forces in the sixth U.S.-Philippine Maritime Cooperative Activity on May 20, 2025. Armed Forces of the Philippines What To Know The MCA, the sixth joint maritime activity between the United States and the Philippines and the second this year, took place off the country's western provinces of Palawan and Occidental Mindoro, the Philippine military said in a statement. The U.S. was represented by the Legend-class cutter USCG Stratton and a U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol plane. Participating Philippine vessels included the patrol ships BRP Alcaraz and BRP Malapascua, patrol gunboat BRP Domingo Deluana, and coast guard cutter Melchora Aquino. Philippine aircraft included at least one Brazil-made Super Tucano turboprop attack plane and a Sokol helicopter. 1 of 2 "As the Philippines continues to navigate evolving maritime challenges, joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines'] commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests," General Romeo Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Philippine military, was quoted as saying. China has frequently criticized the Philippines' joint military exercises with the U.S. and other countries in the region, accusing Manila of inviting outside forces into what it believes to be a bilateral dispute. What People Are Saying Vice Admiral Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said: "Maritime Cooperative Activities help us continue to build strong military-to-military ties with our Philippine navy allies. With each iteration, these operations further advance our collective efforts to preserve regional stability in this critical part of the world." Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Senior Colonel Zhang Xiagang, at a press briefing on May 8: "Certain individuals in the Philippines are colluding with external forces such as the U.S. to stir up the sea for selfish gains, undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea sternly warn the Philippine side to cease its infringements and provocations and stop offending China's core interest in any form." What Happens Next Neither Manila nor Beijing is likely to back down. The Philippines is expected to continue strengthening its security partnerships.
