Australia’s largest warship took part in joint exercises with the Philippines and the United States in the disputed South China Sea on Monday as they seek to strengthen defense ties in the face of China’s growing military presence.
China deploys hundreds of coast guard, navy and other vessels to patrol and militarize reefs in disputed waters, which it claims almost entirely despite an international ruling that its position has no legal basis.
HMAS Canberra is one of several ships involved in Exercise Alon in the Philippines, which is being conducted for the first time as part of Australia’s annual Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Alon is Tagalog for “wave”.
More than 2,000 soldiers from Australia and the Philippines will participate in the air, sea and land exercises from August 14 to 31. Some 150 US Marines are also participating.
Monday’s simulated air raid on the southern Philippine island of Palawan occurred about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the Spratly Islands, where long-standing tensions between Manila and Beijing have flared.
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“Like the Philippines, Australia wants a peaceful, stable and prosperous region that respects sovereignty and is governed by a rules-based order,” Hae Kyong Yu, Australia’s ambassador to Manila, said at Tarumpitao Point airfield.
Such exercises were “critical” because “through them we are putting our words into action,” he said.
The United States, Japan and Australia will also conduct joint naval exercises off the Philippines this week.
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“That has always been the plan,” Captain Phillipa Hay, commander of the Australian Amphibious Task Force, told reporters aboard HMAS Canberra.
“Those boats come from Talisman Saber (Australian exercises) and they are all on their way home, it’s very normal for us to train in company with partners when we proceed to and from the exercises.”
The drills come after a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal in the Spratlys was blocked by Chinese Coast Guard ships using water cannon on Aug. 5, sparking a diplomatic row and international outrage.
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One of the charter ships carrying supplies to the outpost was prevented from reaching the shoal, while the other managed to offload its cargo.
The Philippine military has said it will send more supplies to the remote outpost, where a handful of Filipino marines are stationed in a rusty navy ship.
The BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded on the reef in 1999 to check China’s advance into the waters.
China has demanded the Philippines remove the ship and defended its actions as “professionals.”
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