Allies Conduct Joint Drills in South China Sea China Responds with Combat Patrols

The United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines launch joint military exercises to counter China's assertiveness, prompting a direct response from Beijing.

The United States, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines will conduct joint naval and air drills in the South China Sea on April 7, 2024, to counter China's growing assertiveness in the region.
China responds by conducting its own military "combat patrols" in the South China Sea on the same day, highlighting escalating tensions.
The joint exercises aim to demonstrate the allies' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and to strengthen regional and international cooperation.
China's activities are seen as a direct response to the joint drills, with Beijing asserting control over military activities that disrupt the region.
The drills and China's response occur days before a trilateral summit between the leaders of the US, Japan, and the Philippines, focusing on the South China Sea disputes and regional cooperation.