What signal is being released?, Be vigilant! The Philippines and Australia exercise for the first time in the South China Sea to seize islands
According to reports, on August 25th, Australia and the Philippines held their first large-scale sea, land, and air joint military exercise in the South China Sea, mainly simulating the capture of islands.
It is worth noting that the joint exercise will take place at a naval base approximately 240 kilometers east of Huangyan Island.
What signals do the Philippine and Australian armies want to release to the outside world during their first South China Sea military exercise?
What are the highlights of the Philippines Australia United performance?
According to reports, approximately 560 Philippine Marine Corps soldiers and 1200 Australian soldiers participated in amphibious landing and air assault exercises. The Australian side also dispatched the amphibious assault ship Canberra, the ANZAC frigate, and two F-35 fighter jets to participate in the exercise.
In the view of military observer Shao Yongling, the joint exercise between the Philippines and Australia has strong targeting and practicality.
Shao Yongling:
Secondly, from the perspective of the exercise lineup, Australia has deployed its strongest warship - the amphibious assault ship Canberra, as well as F-35 fighter jets, giving the impression that the exercise is led by Australia.
Thirdly, from the perspective of exercise subjects, amphibious landing and aerial assault mean that this exercise has a strong offensive color and is not simply a defensive exercise or humanitarian rescue exercise.
Is Australia's frequent disruption of the South China Sea profitable?
On August 25th local time, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mars posted photos of his meeting with Philippine President Marcos on social media
According to reports, Philippine President Marcos and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Mars observed the military exercise. During his observation, Mars stated that the South China Sea region concerns Australia's security interests and announced that Australia and the Philippines plan to conduct their first joint patrol in the South China Sea. Just two weeks ago, Australia participated in the US Philippines exercise in the South China Sea.
Why is Australia, as an extraterritorial country, keen to intervene in South China Sea affairs? Shao Yongling analyzed this.
Shao Yongling:
The relationship between the United States and Australia is closer than many people imagine. When the United States proposes the Indo Pacific strategy, Australia plays the role of an accomplice.
Although Australia is an Oceanian country, it has always regarded itself as a Western country. When supporting the United States' foreign military intervention activities, Australia is more proactive than Western countries, highlighting its "Western attributes".
The United States strengthens its military efforts
Bundling of countries such as the Philippines and Australia
Data image: US "Hamas" rocket launcher launches guided rockets
It is worth noting that in recent times, Australia and the Philippines have not only strengthened their interaction with the United States in military exercises, but also engaged in a new round of cooperation in the field of arms sales.
Australia has recently decided to purchase 220 Tomahawk cruise missiles and 22 sets of Hamas rocket systems from the United States, and the Philippines also plans to purchase Hamas rocket systems.
Shao Yongling:
The Tomahawk cruise missile and Hamas rocket system have no significance for Australia's domestic defense, and their main purpose is to cooperate with the United States' overseas military intervention activities.
On the surface, the United States provides military support and security protection to its allies, but these are not free. For example, South Korea and Japan pay a large amount of military spending to the US military every year, while other countries' "protection fees" may be reflected in the purchase of US weapons.
The stable situation in the South China Sea has been affected
On August 27th local time, the Japanese Self Defense Force released to the media footage of the quasi aircraft carrier "Chuyun" docked in the Philippine capital Manila
Shao Yongling pointed out that the current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, but some forces such as the United States are afraid that the South China Sea will not be chaotic and continue to stir up trouble in this area.
In August, in addition to the joint exercises between the United States, the Philippines, and Australia, the United States, Australia, the Philippines, and Japan also held a joint naval exercise in the South China Sea on August 24th.
Shao Yongling:
The United States has pieced together multiple groups and multilateral mechanisms to bring them to the South China Sea, providing a platform and endorsement for the United States. The involvement of so many countries, especially some foreign countries, in South China Sea affairs will make the entire situation more complex than in the past.
