Joint Maritime Drill in South China Sea

The Philippines, Australia, Canada, and the United States are conducting a joint maritime and air exercise in the South China Sea to strengthen regional cooperation and uphold freedom of navigation and overflight within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). This exercise involves naval and air force units from all four nations and is expected to draw a strong reaction from Beijing, which claims most of the South China Sea. The joint drill comes amid rising tensions due to China's aggressive territorial claims and incidents involving Chinese and Philippine vessels. Separately, the Philippines and Vietnam will also conduct their first joint coast guard exercises to counter Chinese actions in the region. Meanwhile, China's trilateral military drills with Tanzania and Mozambique highlight its expanding military diplomacy in Africa.