Joint Naval Drills w/US, Japan & Aus In South China Sea On 7 Apr

(MNI) London - Japan's Kyodo News reporting that according to its sources, the navies of the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines are set to engage in the first full-scale maritime exercises involving all four countries, including joint anti-submarine drills, in the South China Sea on 7 April. The drills, taking place off of the Philippine coast, are intended to come as a show of solidarity with Manila.

• Philippine President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. recently signed an orderinstructing the gov't to bolster the country's military in an effort to deal with "a range of serious challenges". The order does not mention an country in particular, but the Philippines' ongoing rivalry with China over demarcation of borders in the South China Sea has escalated in recent weeks. Reuters: "The latest flare-up occurred last weekend, when China used water cannon to disrupt a Philippine resupply mission to the Second Thomas Shoal for soldiers guarding a warship intentionally grounded on a reef 25 years ago."
• The holding of joint naval drills comes as the US is attempting to bolster its relations with friendly nations in the region. While Australia and Japan are longtime close allies of Washington, holding joint drills with the Philippines indicates if not a full shift in Manila's stance then at least an indication of intent.
• Under previous President Rodrigo Duterte, the US-Philippine relations were not as close, especially on the military front.