Japan, US, Australia to Conduct Joint Naval Drills in South China Sea

Japan, the United States and Australia will conduct joint naval exercises in the South China Sea on August 23, a Japanese news agency reported on Friday, citing sources.

Major vessels of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, the US Navy and the Royal Australian Navy will be stationed near the Philippines, the news outlet noted. Japan plans to send its largest destroyer, the Izumo, which is being converted into a de facto aircraft carrier, the sources added.

The exercises are reportedly aimed at monitoring Chinese vessels, while a timeframe for the drills has not yet been set.