Beijing Angry as Australia, Philippines, U.S. Patrol Manila's EEZ Claimed By China

Australia, the Philippines and the U.S. conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) inside the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on February 15–16, prompting China to launch a combat readiness patrol in the South China Sea.

The activity took place within Manila’s EEZ, areas of which fall under Beijing’s sweeping claims. The patrol combined naval and air assets from all three countries.

Australia deployed the Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba, backed by a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon aircraft. HMAS Toowoomba is on a Regional Presence Deployment to the Indo-Pacific, part of Canberra’s near-continuous regional operations.

The Philippine Navy sent BRP Diego Silang with an embarked AW109 helicopter. The Philippine Air Force deployed FA-50PH and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, while the Philippine Coast Guard contributed BRP Teresa Magbanua.

The U.S. Navy deployed USS Dewey and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Canberra said the MCA reflects its commitment to regional cooperation and to freedom of navigation and overflight, consistent with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Australia also reiterated that the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award is final and legally binding.

Meanwhile, the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said its naval and air forces carried out a combat readiness patrol from Sunday to Monday.

Spokesperson Zhai Shichen accused the Philippines of “collud[ing] with a country outside the region to organize so-called ‘joint patrols’,” saying the move disrupted the situation in the South China Sea and undermined regional peace and stability.

“Forces of the theater command will resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests and firmly uphold peace and stability in the region,” Zhai said.

In early February, China deployed armed H-6K bombers and destroyers around the disputed Scarborough Shoal following an MCA organized by the Philippines and the U.S. Navy.