US, Pacific Allies Convene In Hawaii To Address China’s South China Sea Activities

Defense leaders from the United States, Australia, Japan and the Philippines gathered in Hawaii on Thursday for their second joint meeting, focusing on strengthening cooperation and addressing concerns about China’s operations in the South China Sea. The meeting followed the four nations’ first joint naval exercises in the disputed waterway last month.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized that the drills enhanced the countries’ ability to collaborate, forge ties among their forces and reaffirm their shared commitment to international law in the South China Sea. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles noted that the defense chiefs discussed increasing the frequency of their defense exercises.

“Today, the meetings that we have held represent a very significant message to the region and to the world about four democracies which are committed to the global rules-based order,” Marles stated at a joint news conference.

Tensions have escalated between the Philippines and China over the resource-rich region, with China employing collision and ramming tactics, deploying undersea barriers and utilizing military-grade lasers to hinder Philippine resupply and patrol missions. China has expressed its intention to assert control over access to the South China Sea and bring Taiwan under its authority, even by force if necessary.

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