A Royal Australian Navy destroyer has partnered with a British patrol vessel to carry out a freedom of navigation exercise in the South China Sea. This move signals Australia’s ongoing commitment to counter Beijing’s territorial claims in the contested waters.
The UK Defence Ministry’s Permanent Joint Headquarters announced the operation on social media Tuesday. However, the Australian Defence Force has not made a public statement or responded to questions about the activity. The exercise took place amid global focus on US strikes in Iran and tensions in the Middle East.
Beijing asserts nearly all of the South China Sea as its own, despite a 2016 international ruling declaring its claims invalid. The Chinese navy and coast guard have frequently clashed with vessels from the Philippines, which also has overlapping territorial claims in the region.
There have been several tense aerial encounters as well, including in February, when China’s military claimed to have expelled three Philippine aircraft from the Spratly Islands. These incidents underscore the ongoing territorial disputes and the potential for escalation in the area.
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