Indo-Pacific Allies Plan Joint Maritime Exercises in South China Sea
Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States are set to conduct a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone to demonstrate their commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and respect for maritime rights under international law. The activity aims to strengthen regional and international cooperation, enhance defense force interoperability, and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. The four nations reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision, and emphasize the importance of maintaining the global rules-based order and the peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region.