Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea

Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines conducted joint maritime exercises in the South China Sea. A message published on the US Indo-Pacific Command website said.

"The combined armed forces and defense forces of Japan, the Philippines and the United States, demonstrating a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, conducted a multilateral joint maritime activity in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines on December 6," the message reads.

It is specified that from the U.S. Navy in the exercise was involved P-8A Poseidon from Patrol Squadron 47, from the Philippine Navy - BRP Andres Bonifacio and C-90, from Japan - destroyer JS Samidare (DD 106) class Murasame.

The text also notes that the United States, along with its allies and partners, "supports the right to freedom of navigation and flight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, and respect for maritime rights in accordance with international law."

Earlier, on Nov. 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointed out that NATO was extending its influence to the Asia-Pacific region under the guise of ensuring the security of its members. In the same month, the minister drew attention to the fact that the U.S. continues to introduce NATO infrastructure into the waters of the Pacific Ocean. In addition, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized back in September that the weapons the US deploys in Asia pose a threat to China and the Russian Federation.

In April, it became known that the US had deployed medium-range missiles in the Philippines. In September, U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine Warmuth said that the United States was interested in deploying land-based medium- and short-range missiles in Japan. At the time, Ryabkov warned that Russia would give a comprehensive military-technical response if such plans by Washington were realized.