Tensions Rise As 5 Nations Conduct Joint Maritime Drills Alongside China In South China Sea

On September 28, 2024, the Philippines, Australia, the U.S., Japan, and New Zealand conducted combined maritime exercises in the South China Sea.

The joint drills aimed to improve interoperability among the five nations’ forces and enhance security in the disputed region.

Participating vessels included the Philippine Navy’s USS Howard, Japan’s JS Sazanami, and New Zealand’s HMNZS Aotearoa.

In response, China conducted its own military training in the disputed territory, escalating regional tensions.

The Philippines and China have clashed multiple times in the South China Sea, including the contested Scarborough Shoal.

Just days earlier, Australian and New Zealand naval vessels passed through the Taiwan Strait, further increasing tensions.

Despite overlapping claims from Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, China asserts dominance over nearly the entire South China Sea.

As military activities increase, all eyes are on the South China Sea, where regional powers vie for control and stability.