NewKerala.com

China Lashes Out at Philippines Amid US-Japan Drills in South China Sea

China's military has strongly criticized the Philippines for conducting joint maritime drills with the US and Japan. The PLA Southern Theater Command organized bomber patrols in response to what it called "provocative" trilateral exercises. This comes amid growing tensions following Japan's recent comments about Taiwan that angered Beijing. The drills represent deepening military cooperation between the Philippines, US, and Japan under new defense agreements.

Key Points: China Warns Philippines Over US Japan South China Sea Drills

  • China conducted bomber patrols during trilateral drills as warning signal
  • Philippines deployed missile-capable frigates with US carrier strike group support
  • Japan's Taiwan remarks triggered Chinese naval movements near Japanese waters
  • New defense pact enables Philippine-Japanese military training on each other's territory
2 min read

China lashes out at Philippines over joint drills with US, Japan

Chinese military urges Philippines to stop provocations amid trilateral maritime exercises with US and Japan, escalating tensions in disputed waters.

"The Philippines should immediately stop provoking incidents and further escalating tensions - PLA Southern Theater Command Spokesperson"

Beijing, November 16

The Chinese military on Sunday urged the Philippines to immediately stop provoking incidents and further escalating tensions in the South China Sea, state media reported.

This comes amid the Philippines, United States and Japan conducting another round of maritime drills in the South China Sea, which is known as the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines.

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Friday organized a bomber formation to conduct a routine patrol in the South China Sea, according to a spokesperson quoted by Xinhua.

The patrol in the South China Sea was conducted amid the Philippines' so-called "joint patrols" with external forces, the spokesperson said.

The 13th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), and the eighth held this year, on Friday and Saturday brought together major assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), US Indo-Pacific Command, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, according to a news release.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines deployed its two missile-capable frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), along with an AW159 helicopter. The US sent the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, led by the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), while Japan fielded JS Akebono (DD-108) and a SH-60K Seahawk.

The Philippine Coast Guard's BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Cape San Agustin also supported the mission, as per the the Philippines news agency.

The trilateral drills follow the historic Philippine-US-Japan leaders' summit in April, where the three countries pledged deeper maritime cooperation, more joint patrols, and expanded defence coordination, the PNA news report said.

The Philippines and Japan last month held their first joint military training exercise since the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) between the two countries.

The RAA defence pact which was signed in July 2024 and took effect in September 2025, enables the forces of Japan and the Philippines to to train together on each other's territory.

Meanwhile, Japan's defence ministry said on Wednesday that three Chinese ships, including a destroyer, had passed through waters south of Kagoshima on Kyushu island on Tuesday before travelling through the Osumi Strait into the Pacific Ocean.

The development came days after Japanese PM sanaeTakaichi' remarks on Taiwan which drew strong opposition from Beijing. She told the Japanese parliament last Friday that the use of military force in the Taiwan Strait could be regarded as a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is exactly why India needs to be careful with China. They talk about peace but their actions show otherwise. The PLA bomber patrols are clearly meant to intimidate smaller nations. We've seen similar tactics in our border areas.
A
Arjun K
While I understand Philippines' security concerns, constant military drills only escalate tensions. All countries should focus on diplomatic solutions. The South China Sea dispute affects global trade routes that India also depends on. Let's hope cooler heads prevail.
S
Sarah B
Interesting to see Japan's increasing role in regional security. The Reciprocal Access Agreement with Philippines shows how countries are banding together against Chinese assertiveness. India should learn from this cooperation model.
V
Vikram M
China's double standards are showing again! They conduct military patrols but call others' drills "provocations". We've seen this pattern in our Himalayan borders too. Small nations have the right to defend themselves yaar.
M
Michael C
The timing of these developments around Taiwan is crucial. Japan's statement about Taiwan being a "survival-threatening situation" shows how interconnected regional security has become. India must maintain strategic balance in this complex scenario.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50