On Wednesday (July 31), the naval forces of the Philippines and the United States conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea. Both countries are intensifying their maritime activities, including these joint military exercises, in response to rising tensions between the Philippine and Chinese navies.
The Philippines and the United States believe that these joint exercises can enhance their naval capabilities and provide a definitive response to protecting their national interests in the maritime aspects of the South China Sea.
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Recently, the Philippine and U.S. navies conducted joint exercises in the Exclusive Economic Zone, deploying warships to improve communication and coordination between the two nations.
There has been a significant increase in tensions between the Philippines and China. This conflict is driven by disputes over territorial waters and trade routes valued at $3 trillion annually.
Additionally, the area is rich in natural resources, which fuels both countries' strong desire to claim these routes. The Philippines claimed these routes last June, but it was met with strong opposition from China, which considered the claim a violation of its sovereignty. China had previously claimed the routes, but in 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled that China did not have a legal basis for its claims.
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These joint exercises follow discussions between two U.S. ministers, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and their allies in the Philippines. During these talks, the United States pledged $5,000 million in aid to enhance the Philippines' military capacity, particularly in safeguarding the South China Sea.
Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the relationship between the Philippines and the United States has grown stronger, as evidenced by the U.S. Navy's involvement in the Philippines-China conflict. This marks a significant shift from the previous administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
