US, Japan, India and Philippines Challenge Beijing With Naval Drills in the South China Sea

Vessels from the U.S. Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Philippine Navy sail in formation at sea on May 9, 2019. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force/Handout via Reuters

TOKYO—In fresh show of naval force in the contested South China Sea, a U.S. guided missile destroyer conducted drills with a Japanese aircraft carrier, two Indian naval ships and a Philippine patrol vessel in the waterway claimed by China, the U.S. Navy said on May 9.

While similar exercises have been held in the South China Sea in the past, the combined display by four countries represents a fresh challenge to Beijing as President Donald Trump announced to hike tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods.