The South China Sea has become a focal point of rising tensions following joint naval and air drills conducted on April 7 by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia. These exercises, described as “Maritime Cooperative Activity,” aimed to demonstrate a collective commitment to a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The drills took place just days before a trilateral summit in Washington, D.C., on April 11, where U.S. President Joe Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. While the participating nations asserted that the exercises were not directed at any specific country, regional observers have expressed concerns about the potential implications for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
Critics argue that the joint drills may contravene the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) principles of maintaining a “zone of peace, freedom, and neutrality.” The Philippines’ Department of National Defense reported that five warships participated in the exercises, which some fear could escalate existing maritime disputes.
The drills are rooted in various bilateral and multilateral defense agreements. The Philippines and the United States have longstanding ties, including the 1998 Visiting Forces Agreement, which permits U.S. servicemen access to the Philippines for joint exercises. The 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement allows the rotational deployment of U.S. troops and the use of certain Philippine bases. Recently, the Philippines granted access to four additional sites, expanding cooperation between the two nations.
In 2007, the Philippines and Australia signed the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, further solidifying defense collaborations. This month, the Australian warship HMAS Warramunga arrived at the Philippine island of Palawan, which faces disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Discussions are also underway between the Philippines and Japan. In November 2022, both countries agreed to negotiate a defense deal that would allow their forces to deploy to each other’s territories and pave the way for joint exercises. Such agreements signify a strengthening of defense partnerships but have also sparked debate within the Philippines.
Some Filipino activists have raised concerns over these defense pacts, citing a lack of reciprocity that allows foreign forces access to the Philippines without equivalent provisions for Philippine forces. They argue that this imbalance may not align with the nation’s interests and could draw the country into regional conflicts.
As military activities intensify, calls for dialogue and diplomacy are growing among Southeast Asian nations. Many emphasize the importance of adhering to international laws and ASEAN principles to maintain peace and stability in the region. The situation underscores the delicate balance of power in the Asia-Pacific and the need for cooperative strategies to address shared security challenges.
Reference(s):
Dialogue should prevail: Biden's double tactics worsen local situation
cgtn.com
