China patrols South China Sea amid joint military drills conducted by Philippines, US, Japan and Australia

China’s military conducted a naval and air patrol within the disputed South China Sea on Sunday, amid joint drills conducted within the space on the identical day by the Philippines, the USA, Japan and Australia.

“The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army will conduct a joint air and sea fight patrol within the South China Sea on April 7,” the Southern Theatre Command introduced on its WeChat account on Sunday morning, as quoted by South China Morning Post.

In what seemed to be a reference to the joint drills by the US and the three different nations, the command mentioned that military actions “meant to sabotage the scenario” and create “hotspots” within the waters have been “nicely beneath management”.

Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States final week upheld the appropriate to freedom of navigation and overflight, and respect for maritime rights beneath worldwide legislation, mirrored within the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

“Demonstrating our collective dedication to strengthen regional and worldwide cooperation in assist of a free and open Indo-Pacific, our mixed protection/armed forces will conduct a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) throughout the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone on April 7, 2024,” learn a press release issued by the Department of Defense.

The MCA might be conducted by naval/maritime and air pressure items in a fashion that’s in line with worldwide legislation in addition to home legal guidelines and guidelines of respective nations, and with due regard to the protection of navigation and the rights and pursuits of different States.

“It may also exhibit skilled interactions amongst naval/maritime and air forces. Ultimately, the MCA will strengthen the interoperability of our defence/armed forces doctrines, ways, methods, and procedures,” learn a press release issued by US Department of Defense.

“We stand with all nations in safeguarding the worldwide order primarily based on the rule of legislation that’s the basis for a peaceable and secure Indo-Pacific area. Our 4 nations reaffirm the place relating to the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a remaining and legally binding resolution on the events to the dispute.”

Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, United States, mentioned: “Every nation must be free to conduct lawful air and maritime operations. These actions with our allies Australia, Japan, and the Philippines underscore our shared dedication to making sure that every one nations are free to fly, sail, and function wherever worldwide legislation permits. Our operations collectively assist peace and stability on the coronary heart of our shared imaginative and prescient for a free and open area.”