first! The joint military exercise between Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines in the South China Sea comes at this special time

　　China News Service reported on April 7 that Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines held their first joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea on April 7. Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" said that the timing of this exercise is eye-catching. The United States, Japan and the Philippines will hold their first summit meeting in Washington on the 11th.

　　Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that Japan, the United States and Australia "intend to demonstrate solidarity with the Philippines." This joint training is positioned as the first "maritime cooperation activity" among the four countries.

　　The report pointed out that this joint exercise "will improve interoperability and carry out anti-submarine warfare, ship communications, and formation navigation training."

　　During the joint training, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will send the frigate "Akebono", the US military will send the littoral combat ship, the Australian army will send frigates and patrol aircraft, and the Philippine army will send multiple patrol ships.

　　Kyodo News Agency of Japan pointed out that in August 2023, the four countries of Japan, the United States, Australia and the Philippines conducted joint training in the offshore waters of the northern Philippines, but the content was only replenishment at sea, group photos and crew salutes.

　　According to Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" report, a spokesman for the Philippine Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that defense cooperation negotiations between the Philippines and Japan are still ongoing, with the purpose of reaching an agreement that allows both sides to deploy troops on each other's territories. The Philippines has reached such agreements with Australia and the United States.

　　Japan's Kyodo News Agency pointed out that the Philippines intends to promote the "institutionalization" of the four-nation joint military exercises and hold them regularly several times a year. "Nihon Keizai Shimbun" stated that Philippine Defense Secretary Teodoro said that "the exercises will continue in the future."

　　Singapore's "Lianhe Zaobao" reported that the timing of this exercise is eye-catching. The United States, Japan and the Philippines will hold their first summit meeting in Washington on the 11th. Japan's Mainichi Shimbun said that this joint maritime exercise may be to "show China the progress of security cooperation among the four countries, including Australia, before the summit meeting."

　　In response to the current escalation of maritime disputes between China and the Philippines, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on April 3 that the root cause lies in the Philippines' reliance on external support, breach of commitments, and repeated provocations. The Philippines should immediately stop its infringing and provocative actions, abide by its commitments and the relevant understandings and consensus reached between China and the Philippines, abide by the provisions of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea jointly signed by China and ASEAN countries, and return to properly managing the situation through dialogue and consultation. on the right track. China is unswervingly determined to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.