The South China Sea’s southernmost waters, which are also claimed by Beijing, are where the activities were originally scheduled to take place.
China’s image was rejected by the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Vietnam as being without foundation. A related political opposition was also made by Malaysia.
Ferdinand Marcos, the president of the Philippines, stated at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta earlier this month that his nation did not seek issue in the South China Sea but rather had a responsibility to” fulfill any obstacle to our independence.”
The Philippines denounced China’s coast guard earlier this month for interfering with ships carrying supplies for their soldiers on an abandoned reef in the South China Sea, disputed Spratley Islands.
For more than 20 years, ASEAN has been debating a Code of Conduct on the South China Sea, but much has changed as of yet.
The code’s lack of development has infuriated the Philippines and some other ASEAN people.
When questioned about the escalating geopolitical tensions, Indonesia’s Margono reaffirmed that the training this year were non-combat in character.