Joint Military Exercise in South China Sea: Australian, US, and Filipino Forces Practice Island Retake

Australian, Filipino, and US forces conducted a large military drill in the Philippines, practicing the retaking of an island seized by hostile forces in the South China Sea. The three countries, critical of China's aggressive actions in the disputed waters, emphasized that the drills were not aimed at Beijing. They reaffirmed support for a 2016 ruling that invalidated China's claim to the South China Sea and expressed plans for joint patrols in the region. China, which refuses to participate in the arbitration, warned the US against meddling in the dispute.