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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressed "serious concerns" over Chinese military activity in the South China Sea during his first meeting with President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit. The leaders discussed expanding cultural ties and economic dialogue.
The drills, aimed at enhancing regional security and interoperability, involved naval forces from the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines.
The South China Sea sees thousands of ships passing through each day, making it a key area for international shipping.
Tensions in the South China Sea have escalated as China issued a warning to the Philippines against perceived provocations in the disputed waters.
In his post dated August 26, Ambassador Endo described the encounter as "a new and unacceptable incident around Sabina Reef," which has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing. The Chinese Embassy contends that Endo’s remarks are based on an inaccurate understanding of the situation and level unjustified accusations against China. According to the Chinese Embassy, the Japanese ambassador's statements misrepresent the facts and exacerbate tensions in the already contentious South China Sea region.
Chinese vessels reportedly used water cannons and conducted dangerous maneuvers to prevent the resupply mission, escalating fears of a maritime conflict in the region.
The Philippines has committed to a diplomatic approach in response to recent maritime tensions with China, following a ship collision near Sabina Shoal that damaged Philippine coastguard vessels.
Yang Xiao, deputy director at the Institute of Maritime Strategy Studies under the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, suggested that the Philippines is aiming to solidify its occupation of Xianbin Jiao by upgrading the floating platform to a more permanent structure, which could serve as a forward deployment base.
The AFP described the Chinese actions as "provocative" and "reckless," noting that the close proximity of the Chinese jets posed a significant risk to the safety of both the Philippine military personnel and civilian aircraft in the area.
The joint exercises involved naval maneuvers, maritime patrols, and search and rescue operations, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between Manila and Tokyo.
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