China Condemns Australia over Joint Military Drills with US and Philippines in South China Sea

China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly criticized Australia after its participation in a joint military exercise with the United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The Chinese government accused the three countries of attempting to "create trouble."

The Royal Australian Navy’s destroyer HMAS Sydney joined forces with the Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate and aircraft from both the US and the Philippines for the exercises last week.

Tensions in the region have escalated in recent months, with clashes between China’s coast guard and Philippine vessels intensifying. In response, countries such as the US, Japan, Australia, and Canada have increased joint military drills with the Philippines in the disputed waters.

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, told reporters that the US is using the Philippines as a “pawn” in its confrontations with China. He claimed Manila’s collaboration with outside forces was creating disruptions and military tensions in the region.

Lin further stated, "The US and other non-regional countries have formed small groupings in the South China Sea to provoke confrontations in the name of cooperation, display military strength in the name of freedom, and create disturbances under the guise of maintaining order."

China claims nearly all of the South China Sea as its territory, disregarding a 2016 ruling by the international court that deemed its claims unlawful.

Australia has not responded directly to China’s criticism but affirmed that the purpose of the joint exercises is to "build mutual understanding and interoperability between nations and armed forces." The Australian Department of Defence emphasized the shared commitment to upholding freedom of navigation and lawful maritime rights under international law.

In addition to these exercises, China has been accused of pressuring the Philippines to withdraw from disputed areas in the South China Sea, with Manila accusing Beijing of intimidation.

Last year, Australia also participated in joint exercises with the US, the Philippines, and Canada. Analysts suggest that China’s recent partial navigation of Australian waters was partly an attempt to deter the Albanese government from further engagement in regional military activities.

However, the Albanese administration remains firm in its stance, stating that such exercises are vital for maintaining international law and freedom of navigation and reaffirming that Australia will not scale back its activities in the region.