Australia Backs Philippines Against Beijing’s Aggression in South China Sea

As the Philippines faces escalating maritime conflict in its waters, three countries will mount joint naval exercises in a show of support this weekend.

A Philippine flag flutters next to navy ships anchored at the Philippine-occupied Thitu island in the disputed South China Sea, on April 21, 2023.Ted Aljibe/Getty Images

As Manila and Beijing escalate their dispute over the South China Sea, Australia will join the Philippines and Japan in joint naval exercises this weekend in a clear show of support for the Pacific nation.

Beijing has long claimed almost the entire Sea as its territory, and patrols it with a fleet of coastguard vessels, some more than 1,000 km (620 miles) from its mainland.