US, Japan, Australia plan joint Navy drills in disputed South China Sea

A Philippine Coast Guard vessel passes by the Japanese Coast Guard Akitsushima during a trilateral Coast Guard drill of the US, Japan and Philippines, near the waters of the disputed South China See in Bataan province, Philippines June 6, 2023. [AP Photo]

The United States, Japan and Australia are planning a joint navy drill in the South China Sea off the western Philippines this week to underscore their commitment to the rule of law in the region after a recent show of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters, Filipino security officials said Sunday.

On Aug. 5, Chinese coast guard ships used water cannons against Philippine vessels in the contested waterway where disputes have long been regarded as a potential flashpoint and have become a fault line in the rivalry between the U.S. and China in the region.