US and French Navies Hold Drills in Philippine Sea Amid Regional Tensions

Part of Mischief Reef in the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea on April 21, 2017. Ted Aljibe/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. and French naval forces conducted joint exercises to support free navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. Navy announced Aug. 15.

These bilateral operations, carried out by the U.S. and French Navy, took place against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Beijing and Manila.

In a statement, the U.S. 7th Fleet based in Japan highlighted its ongoing efforts to “advance our interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”

On Aug. 13, U.S. and French Naval forces engaged in formation sailing, communication exercises, and simulated refueling at sea. The U.S. Navy’s USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the French Navy’s FS Bretagne (D655) participated in the operation.

The statement underscored the importance of the United States conducting regular operations in this region with allies, describing them as “a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order.”

Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, said, “The work we do together strengthens the combined capabilities of our professional maritime forces and enhances our ability to deter conflict in the region.”

Escalating Tensions

These operations come amid ongoing tensions between China and the Philippines in the region, marked by frequent clashes both at sea and in the air.

On Aug. 13, the Philippine government formally lodged a diplomatic protest against Beijing after an aerial confrontation on Aug. 8.

Manila claimed that Chinese jets dangerously approached a Philippine Air Force patrol plane and launched eight flares in its path over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.

This incident marks the first aerial encounter since conflicts between Beijing and Manila began intensifying in the busy waterway last year.

Over the weekend, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. condemned the actions of the Chinese air force jets, calling their actions “unjustified, illegal, and reckless.”

China’s foreign ministry, instead, accused the Philippine plane of “infringement activities and provocation.”

Another flashpoint in the escalating tensions between China and the Philippines since last year is the Second Thomas Shoal, where the Chinese regime has been attempting to disrupt Philippine efforts to supply its military personnel stationed there.

The Second Thomas Shoal, known as Ayungin Shoal by Manila and Renai Reef by China, lies about 105 nautical miles from the Philippines’ Palawan Province, within Philippine jurisdiction according to the 1982 U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, which China has also signed.

In one of the latest serious maritime conflicts, on June 17, Chinese coast guard boats allegedly rammed small Philippine naval vessels, seizing two and brandishing weapons as they punctured an inflatable boat. They also stole a backpack, looted firearms, and injured seven Filipino service members.

Quad’s Concerns

China’s aggressiveness in the Indo-Pacific continues to raise international concerns.

On July 29, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, and Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar held a ministerial meeting of the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) partners in Tokyo.

Diplomats of the four countries voiced serious concerns about the situation in the South and East China Seas.

In a joint statement following their meeting, they expressed concerns about recent Chinese maritime activities, without directly mentioning China.

“We also express our serious concern about the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels, the increasing use of various kinds of dangerous maneuvers, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploitation activities,” they said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.