4 days ago
China on PH-India WPS drills: Third party may not interfere in disputes
Philippine and Indian navies steam in formation across the West Philippine Sea, as an Indian naval helicopter soars above, demonstrating coordinated maritime power during the bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA). The MCA was conducted on August 3 to 4, 2025. Photo by: PFC Carmelotes PN(M) / PAOAFP
The Chinese government has rebuked the first joint drills of the Philippine and Indian navies in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), saying that no third party should meddle in territorial and maritime rights issues in the contested waters.
In a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said, "Disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned, and no third party is in any position to interfere in that."
The Philippine and Indian navies from Sunday to Monday conducted a bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the WPS to enhance their tactical coordination and joint maritime capability.
"First time in history, na nagkaroon tayo ng joint sail with the Indian Navy. We are hoping na magtuloy-tuloy ito, so that, mas madami pa tayong gagawing mga exercises and activities with the Indian Armed Forces," Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. earlier said.
(For the first time in history, the Philippines had a joint sail with the Indian Navy. We are hoping that we would have more of these, so that we would have more exercises and activities with the Indian Armed Forces in the future.)
Troops from the two countries joined rendezvous operations, communication checks, air defense exercises, and maneuvering drills with photo exercise (PHOTOEX).
Aside from these, they also participated in more complex warfare simulations such as screening exercise (SCREENEX), over-the-horizon targeting (OTH-T), naval surface interdiction and clearance (NSIC) integrated with a publication exercise (PUBEX), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise, replenishment at sea (RAS), passing exercise, and steaming fast (PASSEX/STEAMFAST).
The AFP said the first bilateral MCA between the Philippines and India underscores the two countries' readiness to work together in promoting maritime domain awareness and supporting a peaceful, stable, and secure region.
GMA News Online has requested comment from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regarding Beijing's statements, but it has yet to respond as of posting time.
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is currently on a five-day state visit to India. Ahead of his visit, the DFA said the Philippines was looking forward to expanding maritime cooperation with India.
Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.
Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country's claim.
The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago including Luzon Sea and the waters around, within and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China's claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had "no legal basis."
China has refused to recognize the decision. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
