US, Indo-Pacific Allies Hold Joint Maritime Exercises in South China Sea

China held military drills in the disputed waters on the same day, a day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked to his Chinese counterpart in New York.

Naval ships of the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand take part in joint exercises in the South China Sea on Sept. 29, 2024. Armed Forces of the Philippines via Reuters/Screenshot via The Epoch Times

The United States and four of its allies conducted joint maritime exercises in a part of the South China Sea on Sept. 28, as China held its own military exercises in the disputed ocean territory.

The day-long exercise involving the United States, the Philippines, Australia, and Japan took place in Manila’s exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the U.S. 7th Fleet.