Chinese ships monitor PH drills with US, Canada, Australia

Chinese warships shadowed Philippine, Australian, and Canadian vessels during two days of joint naval drills near Scarborough Shoal this week, underscoring persistent tensions in the West Philippine Sea as the allies marked the 10th iteration of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA).

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Navy on Thursday said two Chinese warships trailed its joint drills with the United States, Australia and Canada near Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal but did not disrupt the maritime exercise, which successfully concluded.

Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said a Luyang-class guided-missile destroyer and a Jiangkai-class frigate were located about 40 nautical miles southeast of Panatag during the 10th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“These ships were monitored during the conduct of the 10th MMCA … They were observed following the international task group and were not conducting any surface serials or synchronized movement that would generally indicate a joint patrol,” Trinidad said in a statement at the end of the exercise.

On Tuesday, LTJG Prince Charles B. Bauyot told reporters the guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal, which was part of the exercise, challenged the Luyang-class destroyer three times but received no response.

The following day, a Jiangkai-class frigate with hull number 568 joined the Luyang-class destroyer and shadowed the Australian and Canadian ships involved in the exercise.

READ: China warships shadow PH, Australian, Canadian drills near Scarborough

‘Routine patrols’

Bauyot said both remained around 20 nautical miles from the exercise box, which was still within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone and about 60 nautical miles from Panatag.

The Chinese military said on Wednesday it conducted “routine patrols” in the South China Sea and warned that “any attempt to stir up trouble in the South China Sea and create tensions is doomed to fail.”

Trinidad, however, said they were merely “trying to justify their illegal presence in the country’s exclusive economic zone.”

According to the AFP, the 10th MMCA brought together naval assets from the Philippines, Australia, and Canada near the contested shoal, with the United States also participating in the coordinated drills.

The activity also featured a coordinated antisubmarine warfare exercise, which enhanced detection and tracking capabilities, and concluded with a passing exercise.

The Philippines deployed BRP Jose Rizal, supported by an Augusta Westland AW159 Wildcat and Sokol multipurpose helicopters, and a Cessna 208B surveillance plane.

Australia sent the Hobart-class guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane and a Boeing P-8A Poseidon, the most advanced antisubmarine patrol aircraft in the world. The United States also sent a P-8A Poseidon to participate in the exercise.

Canada deployed the Halifax-class guided-missile frigate HMCS Ville de Québec, supported by its Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter.

Despite operating under the watch of Chinese warships, Bauyot underscored the Philippine Navy’s determination.

“Our ship is a combat-ready vessel, and we are ready for whatever challenges may come at sea,” he said.