Philippines and Japan Conduct First Joint Drill in the South China Sea

The Philippine Armed Forces announced that "the Philippines and Japan conducted their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea today, Friday, in the latest collaboration between the two countries that are countering China's approach in the region." The drills, held within the Philippine exclusive economic zone, followed similar exercises between Manila and Washington on Wednesday. The Philippine Armed Forces stated in a press release, "This activity was part of ongoing efforts to enhance regional and international cooperation towards making the Indo-Pacific region free and open." Last month, the Philippines and Japan, both allies of the United States, signed a historic military agreement allowing the exchange of troop deployments. China claims that most of the South China Sea is its territory. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam also dispute sovereignty over regions of the sea, which is traversed by the majority of Northeast Asia's trade with the rest of the world.