Philippine, US and Japanese armed forces this week conducted joint exercises over the Bashi Strait, which separates the Philippines from Taiwan, officials said on Friday. TASR writes about it according to an AFP report.
- Philippine, American and Japanese forces have been exercising over the Bashi Strait this week.
- The planes patrolled over the Batanes archipelago to check the joint cooperation of the armies.
- This is the first expansion of the multilateral activities of these countries beyond the South China Sea.
- China condemned the exercises as a violation of regional peace, accusing the Philippines of provocation.
- The Philippines-US-Japan exercises lasted six days and included live fire.
Military aircraft from the three countries patrolled the Philippines’ northernmost Batanes archipelago in exercises aimed at demonstrating their “ability to work together seamlessly in difficult maritime conditions,” the Philippine military said in a statement.
Exercises beyond the borders of the South China Sea
It is the first time that the so-called multilateral maritime cooperative activities with the participation of these countries have expanded beyond the borders of the South China Sea, where the Philippines and China repeatedly lead a conflict over disputed territory.
The Philippines and Taiwan, which China considers its breakaway territory and does not rule out the use of military force to occupy it, are separated by just over 100 kilometers.
China outrage
“The air operations were conducted in the airspace over the Philippine territory and its territorial waters, north of the island of Luzon,” the Philippine military said, adding that the naval vessels anchored west of the Batanes archipelago.
On Friday, the Chinese army expressed outrage over the mentioned exercises. “The Philippines has involved countries outside the region in organizing so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the region,” said Chai Shichen, spokesman for the People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Command.
Reactions of Japan
In November, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi strained relations with Beijing when she suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily in the event of any attack on Taiwan. Beijing subsequently suspended seafood imports and warned its citizens against visiting Japan, accusing Tokyo of trying to “revive militarism”.
Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi raised tensions on Tuesday when he said Tokyo plans to station anti-aircraft missiles on one of its remote western islands near Taiwan by early 2031.
The Philippines is warning
Last August, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos warned that the Philippines would actively resist being drawn into any war over Taiwan. “I hope it doesn’t happen… But if it does, we have to prepare for it now,” he said, referring to the large number of Filipinos working in Taiwan.
The Philippines-US-Japan exercises lasted for six days and ended on Thursday. The practice of shooting live rounds was also part of it.
