US, Australia, Philippines Hold Joint Drills in South China Sea

The U.S. and Australia joined the Philippines for their second joint maritime ​exercises in the South China Sea this year, amid tensions with ‌China in the disputed waterway.

The four-day drills from April 9 to 12 brought together warships, fighter jets and surveillance aircraft in a series of coordinated operations to strengthen maritime defence ​capabilities, the Philippine military said on Monday.

The exercises underscored the “deepening defense ​cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional ⁠security”, it said in a statement.(Reuters)