5 Countries, 11 Warships Conduct 'Shoulder-to-Shoulder' Military Exercise in South China Sea to Enhance Interoperability
Five countries, including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia, are conducting a large-scale 'Multilateral Maritime Exercise' in the South China Sea as part of the 'Balikatan' joint military exercise to enhance interoperability among like-minded nations. China is monitoring from a distance but has not interfered.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 16:38
- 🔍 Collected: April 30, 2026 at 17:02 (23 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Lin Hang-chien, Manila, 30th) As part of the Philippines-U.S. 'Balikatan' joint military exercise, five countries have dispatched a total of 11 warships to conduct a large-scale 'Multilateral Maritime Exercise' (MME) in the South China Sea, aiming to enhance maritime interoperability among like-minded nations.
The Philippine military stated today that the 'Multilateral Maritime Exercise' commenced on April 20 in the 'West Philippine Sea' and will continue until May 1, forming a crucial component of this year's 'Balikatan' joint military exercise.
The 'West Philippine Sea' is the official designation by the Philippines for the waters it claims in the South China Sea, encompassing an exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles west from its territorial sea baseline.
The U.S. has deployed the amphibious assault ship USS Ashland and the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Midgett; the Philippines has dispatched the missile frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Antonio Luna, an AW109 helicopter, and a Coast Guard patrol vessel.
Among the like-minded nations, Japan has sent the Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma, the helicopter destroyer JS Ise, and the transport ship JS Shimokita; Canada has deployed the frigate HMCS Charlottetown and the supply ship MV Asterix; Australia has sent the frigate HMAS Toowoomba.
The exercise subjects include communication checks, photography, anti-submarine warfare, naval gunfire, integrated air and missile defense, deck landing, search and rescue, maritime cooperation operations, and underway replenishment, all aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating forces.
The Philippine military explained that the related exercises demonstrate the shared commitment of the Philippines, its allies, and like-minded nations to strengthen cooperation, promote regional stability, and uphold national sovereignty and maritime interests, while also supporting a rules-based international order.
On the other hand, Dennis Hernandez, spokesperson for the Philippine Balikatan exercise, stated that Chinese vessels were monitoring the exercise from a distance but did not engage in harassment.
The 'Balikatan' exercise began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines and the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand are also participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and northern Philippines near Taiwan.
The Philippine military has repeatedly emphasized that the exercise is not directed at any specific country, but China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized on the opening day of the exercise that the Asia-Pacific region does not need external forces to create division and confrontation. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150430
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(Central News Agency reporter Lin Hang-chien, Manila, 30th) As part of the Philippines-U.S. 'Balikatan' joint military exercise, five countries have dispatched a total of 11 warships to conduct a large-scale 'Multilateral Maritime Exercise' (MME) in the South China Sea, aiming to enhance maritime interoperability among like-minded nations.
The Philippine military stated today that the 'Multilateral Maritime Exercise' commenced on April 20 in the 'West Philippine Sea' and will continue until May 1, forming a crucial component of this year's 'Balikatan' joint military exercise.
The 'West Philippine Sea' is the official designation by the Philippines for the waters it claims in the South China Sea, encompassing an exclusive economic zone extending 200 nautical miles west from its territorial sea baseline.
The U.S. has deployed the amphibious assault ship USS Ashland and the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Midgett; the Philippines has dispatched the missile frigates BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Antonio Luna, an AW109 helicopter, and a Coast Guard patrol vessel.
Among the like-minded nations, Japan has sent the Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma, the helicopter destroyer JS Ise, and the transport ship JS Shimokita; Canada has deployed the frigate HMCS Charlottetown and the supply ship MV Asterix; Australia has sent the frigate HMAS Toowoomba.
The exercise subjects include communication checks, photography, anti-submarine warfare, naval gunfire, integrated air and missile defense, deck landing, search and rescue, maritime cooperation operations, and underway replenishment, all aimed at enhancing interoperability among participating forces.
The Philippine military explained that the related exercises demonstrate the shared commitment of the Philippines, its allies, and like-minded nations to strengthen cooperation, promote regional stability, and uphold national sovereignty and maritime interests, while also supporting a rules-based international order.
On the other hand, Dennis Hernandez, spokesperson for the Philippine Balikatan exercise, stated that Chinese vessels were monitoring the exercise from a distance but did not engage in harassment.
The 'Balikatan' exercise began on April 20 and is scheduled to continue until May 8. In addition to the Philippines and the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, France, and New Zealand are also participating, mobilizing over 17,000 personnel. The exercise area covers the South China Sea and northern Philippines near Taiwan.
The Philippine military has repeatedly emphasized that the exercise is not directed at any specific country, but China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized on the opening day of the exercise that the Asia-Pacific region does not need external forces to create division and confrontation. (Editor: Hsieh Yi-hsuan) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.