MANILA, Sept 28 (Askume) – Australia and the Philippines said their forces would conduct joint maritime activities with Japan, New Zealand and the United States in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, one of Asia’s most sensitive spots.
“The maritime cooperation activities reflect our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the Australian Defence Department said in a statement on Saturday.
The statement said Navy Ship Sydney and Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft will work closely with partner nations to promote “cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces.”
The joint exercise follows a series of discussions between the Philippines and China on disputed areas in the South China Sea .
On Wednesday, New Zealand and Australian naval ships passed through the Taiwan Strait, part of the South China Sea . The Australian Defense Department said the move reflects Australia’s commitment to an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
China claims democratic rule over Taiwan and says it exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over the Taiwan Strait. Both the United States and Taiwan call the strait an international waterway, a major trade route through which about half of the world’s container ships pass.
Australian Foreign Minister Huang Yingjian said in a speech to the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday that Australia is “pressuring China to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.”
“We welcome the resumption of leadership and military-level talks between the United States and China,” Huang said, according to the transcript.
China claims almost the entire South China Sea, which is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, angering its neighbours.
