The US, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines will undertake a joint military activity in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea on Sept 28.
“The Maritime Cooperative Activity demonstrates our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” the Australian Defence Department said in a statement Saturday.
The exercise comes amid rising tensions between Beijing and Manila over competing claims in the South China Sea.
Australia’s HMAS Sydney and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft would participate, according to the statement.
