On August 2, 2024, the Philippine Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted their first bilateral maritime drills in the South China Sea, amid ongoing territorial disputes with China. Chinese naval vessels were reportedly monitoring the exercises, which included tactical maneuvers and communication exercises aimed at enhancing regional cooperation and security in the Indo-Pacific. The drills followed a recent military pact between the Philippines and Japan to counter China's assertiveness at sea. Simultaneously, the Philippines held a separate joint maritime exercise with the United States, emphasizing the strengthening of alliances in response to escalating tensions with China. Despite heightened scrutiny from Chinese vessels, the exercises proceeded without interference. The situation remains tense, but both the Philippines and China have expressed a desire to de-escalate conflicts in the region.