Philippines, US, Japan Hold Joint Drills in South China Sea Amid Tensions with China

The Philippines, the United States, and Japan concluded joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea on July 25, 2026. The drills, which began on July 21, took place against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Philippine and Chinese vessels at disputed features in the contested waterway. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the 17th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity involved warships, coast guard vessels, and surveillance and fighter aircraft. Over the five days, participating forces conducted a series of advanced maritime interoperability exercises, including communication drills, replenishment at sea operations, and division tactics. The AFP stated that the exercises underscored "the enduring partnership among the partner nations in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region." They also reflected the AFP's "continuing commitment in ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight while deterring illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities" in the South China Sea. The exact location of the exercises was not disclosed. The drills occurred amid resurgent tensions in the South China Sea, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of an arbitral ruling by a special tribunal in The Hague that found China's expansive "nine-dash line" claim to be without basis under international law. China does not recognize this ruling, deeming it "null and void." Leading up to the exercises, the Philippines accused the China Coast Guard (CCG) of firing water cannons at its vessels near Scarborough Shoal. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) strongly condemned the actions as "dangerous and unprofessional." The CCG, in turn, accused the Philippines of organizing "illegal gathering" and ignoring its warnings. A separate incident involving direct physical blows between Philippine and Chinese personnel also occurred at Second Thomas Shoal, with the Philippines reporting injuries. China accused the Philippines of "transgressing" and spreading "false propaganda." These events have heightened concerns from the United States and other partners who support the 2016 arbitral ruling. The Philippines maintains its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in the South China Sea, emphasizing that any understanding reached with China, such as the "provisional" arrangement reportedly agreed upon in June 2024, does not infringe upon its sovereignty.