A Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer and naval vessels from four other countries conducted a joint drill in the South China Sea on Saturday.
Japan’s Defense Ministry says the destroyer Sazanami took part in the exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, along with five other vessels from the United States, the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand.
The drill is the first Maritime Cooperative Activity by the five countries. The vessels’ crew communicated with one another and sailed in formation.
The Japanese ministry says the drill is an activity to uphold the freedoms of navigation and overflight and to respect maritime rights under international law.
Informed sources say the Japanese destroyer and vessels from Australia and New Zealand sailed through the Taiwan Strait before the drill.
The Chinese government expressed its opposition to the destroyer’s transit, calling it a provocative act that undermines China’s sovereignty and security.
In August, Chinese government vessels collided with Philippine government ships in the South China Sea, and the Chinese side fired water cannons. Chinese military aircraft also fired off flares at Philippine planes.