ASEAN to Hold First Joint Military Exercise in South China Sea

ASEAN to Hold First Joint Military Exercise in South China Sea

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will hold its first joint military exercise in the South China Sea next month. The exercise, which will be held from June 26 to July 10, will involve troops from all 10 ASEAN member states.

The exercise is being held in response to growing tensions in the South China Sea, where China has been asserting its territorial claims in the disputed waters. The United States and its allies have warned China against using force to assert its claims, and have stepped up their military presence in the region.

The South China Sea is a strategically important waterway that is claimed by several countries, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines. The dispute over the South China Sea has been a source of tension in the region for many years.

The ASEAN exercise is seen as a way for the bloc to show its unity and resolve in the face of Chinese aggression. It is also seen as a way for ASEAN to improve its military capabilities and deter China from using force.

The exercise will be held in the Sulu Sea, which is located between the Philippines and Malaysia. The exercise will involve a variety of activities, including naval drills, air defense exercises, and ground combat exercises.

The ASEAN exercise is a significant development in the South China Sea dispute. It is the first time that ASEAN has held a joint military exercise in the disputed waters. The exercise is a sign that ASEAN is taking the dispute seriously and is willing to take steps to protect its interests.

The exercise is also a sign of the growing strategic importance of the South China Sea. The United States and China are competing for influence in the region, and the South China Sea is a key strategic asset. The ASEAN exercise is a way for ASEAN to assert its own interests in the region and to deter China from using force.

In addition to the military exercise, ASEAN leaders will also meet in Jakarta, Indonesia, on June 11-13. The meeting will focus on a variety of issues, including the South China Sea dispute, the Myanmar coup, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ASEAN summit is an important opportunity for the member states to come together and discuss the challenges facing the region, and the exercise is a positive development, but it is important to note that it is only the beginning in addressing the challenges posed by China in the South China Sea. More needs to be done to build a rules-based order in the region and to deter China from using force.