Australia to hitch US, Japan in naval drills in South China Sea

On August 5, Chinese language coast guard ships used water cannons in opposition to Philippine vessels within the contested waterway the place disputes have lengthy been thought to be a possible flashpoint and have grow to be a fault line within the rivalry between the US and China within the area.

The drill will embody three plane and helicopter carriers crusing collectively in a present of power and endeavor joint drills. Their commanders are set to satisfy with Filipino counterparts in Manila after the offshore drills, two Philippine safety officers advised The Related Press.

Each spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of they don’t seem to be allowed to publicly talk about particulars of the deliberate drills.

The US plans to deploy an plane service, the USS America, whereas Japan would ship considered one of its largest warships, the helicopter service JS Izumo. The Royal Australian Navy would ship HMAS Canberra, which additionally carries helicopters, one of many two officers mentioned, including that the joint drill was deliberate just a few months in the past.

The Philippines wouldn’t be a part of this week’s drills as a result of army logistical limitations however is open to turning into a participant sooner or later, the official mentioned.

The US, Japan and Australia had been amongst a number of nations that instantly expressed help for the Philippines and concern over the Chinese language motion following the tense stand-off earlier this month.

Philippine officers mentioned six Chinese language coast guard ships and two militia vessels blocked two Philippine navy-chartered civilian boats taking provides to the Philippine forces stationed on the Second Thomas Shoal. One provide boat was hit with a robust water cannon by the Chinese language coast guard whereas the opposite managed to ship meals, water, gas and different provides to the Filipino forces guarding the shoal, the Philippine army mentioned.

The Chinese language coast guard acknowledged its ships used water cannons in opposition to the Philippine vessels, which it mentioned strayed with out permission into the shoal, which Beijing calls Ren’ai Jiao.

“So as to keep away from direct blocking and collisions when repeated warnings had been ineffective, water cannons had been used as a warning. The on-site operation was skilled and restrained, which is past reproach,” the Chinese language coast guard mentioned. “China will proceed to take needed measures to firmly safeguard its territorial sovereignty.”

The Philippine army mentioned on Saturday that it might once more try to ship fundamental provides to its forces within the Second Thomas Shoal, however did not present additional particulars.

The mission “to the shoal is a transparent demonstration of our resolve to face up in opposition to threats and coercion and our dedication in upholding the rule of regulation,” the Armed Forces of the Philippines mentioned in a press release.

Following the incident, Washington renewed a warning that it’s obliged to defend its longtime treaty ally if Philippine public vessels and forces come underneath armed assault, together with within the South China Sea.