Philippines, Japan, Australia, U.S. to hold drills in South China Sea

Exercises demonstrate military ties ahead of US-Japan-Philippines summit

20240405 PH Navy and Japan's Izumo August  2023

Philippine Navy personnel aboard the BRP Davao Del Sur salute the passing vessel Izumo from Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force on Aug. 24, 2023. © Philippine Navy

RAMON ROYANDOYAN and YUICHI SHIGA, Nikkei staff writers

MANILA/TOKYO -- The Philippines, Japan, the U.S. and Australia will conduct naval drills on Sunday in the South China Sea, in a show of force meant to counter China's expanding military influence in the region.

In a joint statement on Saturday, the four countries said they will hold maritime cooperative activity in the Philippines's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) to demonstrate "collective commitment" to strengthen cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

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