Australia, Japan, Philippines, US to conduct maritime cooperative activity

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — U.S. Marines fire at targets during a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 4, 2024. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms via U.S. Defense Visual Information Distribution Service)

HONG KONG/BEIJING (Reuters) -     The U.S. Navy said on Wednesday that Australia, Japan and  Philippine defence forces will work together with the U.S. to conduct maritime activity within the Philippines exclusive economic zone on Feb. 5 to enhance cooperation and interoperability. 

A spokesperson for Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command later said China had conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday.

The troops will remain on high alert and defend China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and control any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea, the spokesperson said.

 (Reporting by Farah Master and the Beijing newsroom; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)