The U.S. Navy said on Wednesday that Australia, Japan and Philippine defence forces will work together with the U.S. to conduct maritime activity within the Philippines exclusive economic zone on Feb. 5 to enhance cooperation and interoperability.
A spokesperson for Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command later said China had conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday.
The troops will remain on high alert and defend China’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and control any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command release on the issue says, “The combined armed and defense forces of Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.”
Operate together will enhance cooperation and interoperability of the naval and air force units of participating nations. The activity will be conducted as consistent with international law and with due regard for the safety of navigation, and the rights and interests of other States.
The Indo – Pacific Command also informs that, “This underscores our shared commitments to upholding the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).”
Team BharatShakti
(With Inputs from Reuters)
