Beijing patrols South China Sea amid first US-led war games with Australia, Japan, and Philippines

China’s military conducted joint air and sea “combat patrols” in the disputed South China Sea, on Sunday (Apr 7) as the United States held its first joint military drills with the Philippines, Japan and Australia. 

China’s ‘combat patrols’

“The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army will conduct a joint air and sea combat patrol in the South China Sea on April 7,” said Southern Theatre Command in a surprising announcement on its WeChat account, on Sunday morning. 

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The statement also indicated that the patrols were conducted in response to the joint naval exercises by the US and its allies in the South China Sea. The PLA, in its brief statement, added “all military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control.”

However, the statement did not mention the joint drills being hosted by the Philippines or give any further details about its activities in the South China Sea.

First joint drills

The defence chiefs of the four countries, on Saturday (Apr 6) announced that they would conduct a “maritime cooperative activity” to safeguard the rule of law and uphold the right to sail through and fly over the waters and that the exercise would take place within the “Philippine exclusive economic zone.”  

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The first full-scale exercise involving the Philippines, the US, Australia and Japan would demonstrate “collective commitment” to strengthening regional and international cooperation “in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said the countries in a joint statement. 

The war games also came days ahead of US President Joe Biden’s first trilateral summit with the leaders of Japan and the Philippines. 

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said that naval vessels and aircraft from the four countries participated in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). 

“BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS15) with AW109 helicopter, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) with AW159 Wildcat ASW helicopter, and BRP Valentin Diaz (PS177) from the Philippine Navy; the USS Mobile and a P-8A Poseidon from the United States Navy; the Royal Australian Navy HMAS Warramunga and Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft; and the JS Akebono from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces” participated in the drills, it added. 

Tensions in South China Sea

China has been at the centre of a long dispute and repeatedly claimed almost the entire South China Sea as its own despite an international tribunal ruling in 2016 which said that Beijing has no legal basis for its claim. 

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However, China has ignored that decision. Over the years, this territorial dispute has led to several skirmishes between Beijing and Manila which have flared up particularly since last year. 

Meanwhile, China has accused the US of inflaming tensions by meddling in the disputes as Washington backs Manila and even conducted joint patrols with the Philippines in a show of support. 

(With inputs from agencies)