- US is planning to hold military exercises with Japan and India in the coming months
- The naval drill will be held off the coast of northern Luzon in the West Philippine Sea
- China says it is hoping the planned joint exercises will benefit concerned nations
MANILA, Philippines – The United States is planning to hold joint naval exercises with Japan in India in the West Philippine Sea, a US military official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The planned drill will be held off the coast of northern Luzon near the disputed islands where Chinese facilities has been constructed on man-made features.
Admiral Harry Harris, commander of the Asia-Pacific Fleet, told reporters during a security conference in New Delhi that freedom of the seas remains a fundamental rights of every nation regardless of size or military power.
Last year, US and Japan conducted a joint military operations off the Bay of Bengal. This year, Japan will most likely participate as tension continue to rise in the contested waterways where China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and the Philippinesd have overlapping claims.
Harris also praised India for its peaceful initiative to resolve a similar border disputes with neighboring countries.
“While some countries seek to bully smaller nations through intimidation and coercion, I note with admiration India’s example of peaceful resolution of disputes with your neighbours in the waters of the Indian Ocean,” Harris said.
The latest announcement from Washingto came after Defense Secretary Ash Carter warned China of ‘specific consequences’ if the latter continues to pursue militarization of its controlled islands in South China Sea.
On Wednesday, March 3, it has been reported that the US Navy sent an armada consisting of a nuclear-powered supercarriers, two cruisers, two destroyers and a Japan-based command ship to the South China Sea to confront China in what observers said is Washington’s latest ‘show of force’.
Sought for comment about the planned three-nation naval drill, a Chinese official said Beijing hoped that the activity will be beneficial not only to the US, Japan and India, but to other concerned nations in Asia-Pacific as well,
“We hope the cooperation of relevant countries will benefit regional peace and security, and not harm the interests of third parties,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei told Reuters.
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