On Sunday, the U.S. Navy brought together forces from Australia, Japan, and also the Philippines for a joint patrol in a South China Sea. Demonstrating resolve in the face of China’s aggressive actions against Philippine maritime interests. Assets involved included the Independence-class LCS USS Mobile, the Japanese destroyer JS Akebono. The Australian frigate HMAS Warramunga. And also the Philippine Navy’s BRPs Gregorio del Pilar, Antonio Luna, and Valentin Diaz. Australian and American P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft participated in the operation. China’s People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater District dismissed the exercise. Saying in a statement that “all military activities that disrupt the situation in the South China Sea and alsocause chaos are under control.”

Inciting others to Provoke Conflict 

It isn’t the United States always carrying a knife?” wrote the Global Times. An opinion-focused daily newspaper run by the Chinese government. “If the parties intend to increase tensions in the South China Sea. And also a undermine China’s territorial and sovereign integrity, China will become a target for the People’s Liberation Army.” The Philippines’ 200 nautical mile EEZ line. In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in a favour of the Philippines, ruling that China’s claims were not in accordance with international maritime law.

China did not participate in the process and ignored the results.The Chinese government claims that when the Philippine military operates in the western Philippines EEZ, it is invading Chinese territory. The two countries meet every two to four weeks at Second Thomas Reef, where the Philippine military maintains a dilapidated outpost. A Chinese Coast Guard ship injured several Filipino soldiers during a replenishment operation.