US, Japan and Philippines Complete Five-Day South China Sea Exercises

Overview

• The Philippines, the United States and Japan ran coordinated naval, coast guard and air drills from July 21 to 25 to improve interoperability and practice replenishment, communications and division tactics.
• The exercises began a day after an encounter at Second Thomas Shoal that the Philippine government said involved a Filipino sailor being struck by a Chinese Coast Guard baton and that China said involved Philippine vessels ramming Chinese boats.
• The Philippine Coast Guard reported that Chinese vessels used water cannon against Philippine government ships near Scarborough Shoal on Thursday and Friday during the drills.
• China’s PLA Southern Theater Command said it carried out a routine naval and air patrol and publicly condemned the trilateral activity while the USS George Washington carrier strike group deployed into the area, raising the profile of U.S. forces in the waters.
• On Saturday the new Philippine armed forces chief Antonio Nafarrete visited Thitu Island and pledged to strengthen outpost capabilities as tensions continue with no resolution to the recent clashes and mutual accusations.