Chinese surveillance ship follows Japan-Philippines naval drills in South China Sea

The Philippine Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted their first-ever Maritime Cooperative Activity in contested waters, emphasizing regional collaboration and stability. However, it was reported that the exercise was closely monitored by a suspected Chinese Navy ship, highlighting ongoing tensions in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) conducted their first-ever joint naval exercise in the contested waters of the South China Sea on August 2.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) announced the Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA), aimed at reinforcing international collaboration for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal and the JMSDF’s JS Sazanami participated in the exercise.

The drills included communications exercises, tactical maneuvering, and a photographic exercise, all designed to enhance tactical capabilities and deepen the strong ties between the two nations. The joint exercise emphasized the commitment of both the Philippine Navy and the JMSDF to maintaining security and stability in the region, reflecting their shared dedication to a rules-based international order.

Japan’s Ambassador to the Philippines, Kazuya Endo, took to social media to celebrate the milestone, noting that the participation of JS Sazanami underscores Japan’s commitment to regional cooperation. However, images released by the Philippines and Japan revealed a Chinese Navy ship shadowing the Philippine and Japanese vessels during the exercise.

Defense experts have speculated that the shadowing vessel could be a Type-056 Jiangdao-class corvette, indicating possible Chinese surveillance of the joint activity.

This joint exercise follows a recent bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippine Navy and the United States Navy on July 31, further highlighting the growing defense cooperation between the Philippines and its allies. That exercise, which took place near Leslie Bank—within Manila’s exclusive economic zone but claimed by Beijing—featured the USS Mobile and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz. These exercises are part of broader efforts to counter China’s assertive territorial claims and to enhance regional security.

A video released by the AFP showed the ships performing coordinated surface operations and communication drills, underscoring the strong alliance between the Philippines and the United States. The exercise was intended to bolster combined maritime operational capabilities and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

These maritime cooperative activities were launched last year in response to escalating tensions between the Philippines and China, particularly around resupply missions to a Marine outpost at Second Thomas Shoal. Since November 2023, the Philippines has conducted several bilateral and multilateral maritime and aerial patrols with countries including Canada, Australia, Japan, and the US.

In April, Japan joined a group sail in the West Philippine Sea alongside the Philippines, the US, and Australia. Additionally, in July, Manila and Tokyo signed the Reciprocal Access Agreement, allowing for the deployment of military forces and equipment to each other’s territories for joint exercises.

The recent Japan-Philippines exercise came just a month after diplomatic talks led to an agreement between the Philippines and China to de-escalate tensions in the West Philippine Sea. France is also expected to join these defense cooperation efforts pending further agreements. Despite these joint patrols, tensions between Philippine and Chinese forces have persisted, with aggressive actions from the China Coast Guard, including water cannon use and ramming incidents during a June 17 resupply mission.

These developments underscore the growing cooperation between the Philippines and its allies as they work to counter China’s assertive territorial claims and to enhance security and stability in the region. The continued presence of international partners in joint patrols highlights their commitment to maintaining a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.