The United States and the Philippines have been conducting joint air and maritime patrols within the South China Sea, which come as the 2 international locations step up cooperation within the face of growingly aggressive Chinese exercise within the space.
The Philippine Air Force mentioned on Wednesday its plane had taken half in joint patrols on Tuesday within the neighborhood of Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, which is simply about 200 kilometers from Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims as its personal.
The patrols run by means of Thursday and embody each the U.S. and Philippine navies.
They come solely days after Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. referred to as the scenario within the South China Sea more and more “dire” as China seeks to claim its presence in an space the place a number of nations have competing territorial claims.
China claims nearly your complete South China Sea as its personal waters, which has led to disputes not solely with the Philippines but additionally with Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei, which have lengthy been considered potential flashpoints within the area and the U.S.-China rivalry.
Earlier this month a Chinese coast guard ship blasted a Philippine provide ship with a water cannon in disputed waters, and final month a Chinese coast guard ship and an accompanying vessel rammed a Philippine coast guard ship and a military-run provide boat close to a contested shoal, in accordance with Philippine officers.
Speaking on Sunday in Honolulu, Marcos mentioned China has been displaying curiosity in atolls and shoals which are “closer and closer” to the coast of the Philippines, with the closest atoll about 111 kilometers away.
In asserting the beginning of the joint patrols, Marcos mentioned on X, the social media platform initially often called Twitter, that they have been “testament to our commitment to bolster the interoperability of our military forces.”
“Through collaborative efforts, we aim to enhance regional security and foster a seamless partnership with the United States in safeguarding our shared interests,” he wrote.
Under Marcos, who was elected final 12 months, the Philippines has been deepening its relationship with the U.S. in a shift from his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who had been nearer to China and Russia.
In February, Marcos permitted an enlargement of the U.S. army presence within the Philippines so as to add 4 new bases from 5 current websites beneath a 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the longtime treaty allies.
The transfer, which Marcos mentioned would enhance the Philippines’ coastal protection, dovetails with the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen an arc of army alliances within the Indo-Pacific to higher counter China.
Marcos has additionally been strengthening ties with others, together with Tokyo, signing an settlement earlier within the 12 months to permit Japanese troops to hitch coaching workouts.