The defense chiefs from the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines gathered in Hawaii for their second-ever joint meeting, expressing their commitment to deepening cooperation amid concerns about China’s operations in the South China Sea. The meeting followed joint naval exercises held last month in the area, where Beijing has long-standing territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian nations. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of the drills in strengthening the ability of the nations to work together and enforcing international law in the waterway. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles emphasized the significance of the meeting in sending a message about the commitment of the four democracies to the global rules-based order.
The defense chiefs discussed increasing the tempo of their defense exercises during the joint meeting, signaling a commitment to further enhancing their cooperation in the region. The gathering took place at the U.S. military’s regional headquarters in Hawaii, where Austin hosted the officials. The U.S. has long-standing defense treaties with Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, and has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea to challenge China’s expansive claims in the region. Multiple countries, including Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Brunei, also have overlapping claims in the resource-rich sea, leading to tensions with Beijing.
Beijing has refused to recognize an international arbitration ruling from 2016 that invalidated its claims in the South China Sea based on historical grounds. This has led to increased tensions in the region, particularly between China and the Philippines. Recent incidents, such as Chinese coast guard ships firing water cannons at Philippine patrol vessels, have raised concerns about the potential for a larger conflict between China and the United States. The U.S. has reiterated its commitment to defending the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, if Filipino forces come under attack in the South China Sea.
President Joe Biden’s administration has emphasized the importance of building alliances in the Indo-Pacific region, including strengthening ties with countries like Australia, Japan, and the Philippines. This is part of a broader strategy to establish a “latticework” of alliances in the region. However, Beijing has criticized the U.S.’s efforts to bolster alliances in Asia, viewing them as attempts to contain China and undermine regional stability. Despite these tensions, the defense chiefs from the U.S., Australia, Japan, and the Philippines remain committed to deepening their cooperation and upholding international law in the South China Sea. Their joint meeting in Hawaii serves as a strong message of solidarity amid ongoing challenges in the region.
