Philippines, US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand to Conduct Joint Maritime Operations in South China Sea

The Philippines, Australia, the US, Japan, and New Zealand are set to conduct joint maritime activities within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, a region known for its strategic significance in Asia.

Australia’s Department of Defence announced that this Maritime Cooperative Activity underscores the nations’ collective commitment to fostering regional and international cooperation for a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific. Recently, naval vessels from New Zealand and Australia transited through the Taiwan Strait, further demonstrating Australia’s dedication to maintaining an open and secure Indo-Pacific.

China, which asserts sovereignty over Taiwan, claims jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Both the US and Taiwan view the strait as an international waterway, crucial for global trade, with approximately half of all container ships passing through it.

In her address to the United Nations General Assembly, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong emphasized the nation’s ongoing advocacy for peace and stability in both the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. She also welcomed the renewed dialogue between US and Chinese leaders and military officials.

China’s expansive claims over the South China Sea have sparked tensions, as they conflict with the maritime rights of Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.