Philippines, US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand have joint maritime activities in the East Sea

In a statement on September 28, the Australian Department of Defense said: "The maritime cooperation activity demonstrates our shared commitment to enhancing regional and international cooperation to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo- Pacific region."

The statement added that the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Sydney and the Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft operated with partner nations to enhance “cooperation and interoperability between armed forces”.

Ships move through the Taiwan Strait. Photo: AP

On the same day, the Japanese Defense Ministry said that five countries including Japan, the United States and the Philippines held a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Sazanami participated in the exercise.

The exercise comes after the destroyer Sazanami became the first Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force ship to transit the Taiwan Strait, along with naval vessels from Australia and New Zealand on September 25. The Australian Defense Department said the move demonstrated Australia’s commitment to an open, stable and prosperous Indo- Pacific region.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters, Nikkei Asia)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/philippines-my-uc-nhat-ban-new-zealand-co-hoat-dong-hang-hai-chung-o-bien-dong-post314525.html