This past weekend saw significant military maneuvers in the South China Sea, with China conducting drills around Scarborough Shoal—a sensitive area amidst rising tensions. Simultaneously, the U.S. Seventh Fleet engaged in joint exercises with naval forces from the Philippines, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, operating within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
The U.S. and its allies put their naval skills to the test as they trained together, while China’s Southern Command emphasized routine exercises near Huangyan Island—its name for Scarborough Shoal. Beijing reiterated its claims of sovereignty over the area, accusing external nations of creating regional instability.
U.S. Navy 7th Fleet
China’s military presence in the area remains robust, as they insist on safeguarding their maritime rights. However, Philippine defense officials dismissed claims that they observed Chinese drills nearby. “It’s possible that China announces these exercises for domestic fabrications,” noted Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, a spokesperson for the Philippines navy.
Scarborough Shoal is historically important for fishermen from both countries, lying about 100 miles from Luzon, the largest Philippine island. Control of the area shifted to China following a standoff in 2012, although international maritime law supports the Philippines’ rights to resources within its 200-nautical-mile zone.
The recent maritime cooperation activity marked an extensive set of exercises, including search and rescue training and surface operations. Notably, footage from the Philippines showcased ships maneuvering in formation, highlighting their collaborative efforts.
Participating vessels included U.S. destroyer USS Howard, the Philippine corvette BRP Emilio Jacinto, Australian cruiser HMAS Sydney, and others from Japan and New Zealand.
Vice Adm. Fred Kacher of the Seventh Fleet emphasized the importance of these exercises in enhancing operational capabilities and reaffirming allies’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. This comes amid intensified cooperation among nations in response to China’s assertive stance in the region—a territory subject to multiple competing claims.
The drills took place shortly after several allied ships traversed the Taiwan Strait, including Japan’s Sazanami, marking a significant moment in Japanese naval history. With ongoing territorial disputes, particularly over the Senkaku Islands and rising encounters in the Philippine EEZ, the maritime dynamics in the region remain complex and increasingly tense.