China Livid as U.S., Philippines Navies Organize Maritime Cooperative Activity

The navies of the U.S. and the Philippines organized a joint patrol in the exclusive economic zone of the latter on January 25-26, evoking strong reaction from China which claims the whole of the South China Sea as its domain.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Navy conducted a bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The two militaries described the operation as a routine bilateral engagement conducted in accordance with international law.

The activity included maneuver exercises, replenishment-at-sea evolutions, communications checks, and coordination on maritime domain awareness. The drills were designed to improve interoperability between the two forces.

Participating units included the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft from Patrol Squadron 45. Philippine assets included the Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), Philippine Air Force FA-50 and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, and the Philippine Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV 8301) with an embarked AW109 helicopter.

In an official statement, the U.S. said it, together with allies and partners, upholds freedom of navigation and overflight, as well as other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace under international law. The U.S. 7th Fleet said it routinely operates with regional partners across the Indo-Pacific.

China criticized the activity, accusing the Philippines of undermining stability by involving countries outside the region. Air Force Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, said the Philippines was “co-opting countries outside the region to organize so-called ‘joint patrols.’”

Tian said the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea during the same period and added that Chinese forces would “resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” while “firmly uphold regional peace and stability.”