China’s military activities in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) have reportedly diminished in response to joint maritime exercises conducted by the Philippine Navy and its allied nations. The Philippine Navy’s recent observations indicate that during a recent naval exercise involving the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle and accompanying vessels, Chinese ships maintained a significant distance, over 120 nautical miles (approximately 222 kilometers or 138 miles) away from the drills.
Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, the spokesperson for the Philippine Navy regarding WPS matters, emphasized that there has been a noticeable reduction in what he termed the “illegal and coercive actions” of the People’s Liberation Army Navy in the region when multilateral or bilateral maritime cooperation activities take place. He reported no sightings of PLA Navy vessels, Coast Guard ships, or maritime militia operating nearby during the joint exercise.
Trinidad attributed this observed decrease in aggressive maneuvers by Chinese forces to the effectiveness of international partnerships, stressing a commitment to continue such cooperative maritime activities in the future.
Despite this positive feedback from the Philippine Navy, the situation in the South China Sea remains tense. Both China and the Philippines are embroiled in a complex geopolitical struggle over territorial claims that encompass vital waterways and resources, leading to previous clashes, including ship collisions and incidents involving water cannons.
The recent joint exercise, designed to bolster interoperability between the Philippine and French naval forces, included a range of activities like communication drills, tactical maneuvers, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and personnel exchanges aimed at improving collaborative operational capabilities.
In response to the Philippine Navy’s remarks, the Chinese Embassy in Manila dismissed the assertions as indicative of a “Syndrome of Mental Victory,” suggesting that the Philippines is under the illusion of being correct or victorious in the maritime disputes. This comment underscores the continuing friction between the two nations as they navigate their competing interests in the region.
