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 stated that military actions “meant to sabotage the scenario” and create “hotspots” within the waters had been “effectively underneath management”.

Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States final week upheld the precise to freedom of navigation and overflight, and respect for maritime rights underneath worldwide regulation, 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 an announcement issued by the Department of Defense.

The MCA can be conducted by naval/maritime and air power models in a fashion that’s according to worldwide regulation in addition to home legal guidelines and guidelines of respective nations, and with due regard to the security of navigation and the rights and pursuits of different States.

“It can even display 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 an announcement issued by US Department of Defense.

“We stand with all nations in safeguarding the worldwide order primarily based on the rule of regulation that’s the basis for a peaceable and steady 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 choice on the events to the dispute.”

Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, United States, stated: “Every nation needs to 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 regulation permits. Our operations collectively assist peace and stability on the coronary heart of our shared imaginative and prescient for a free and open area.”