Japan maintains presence in the South China Sea

Despite an increasingly aggressive tone from Beijing and the ever-expanding presence of Chinese ships in the South China Sea, the Japanese navy remains present in the region. Last week, the Japanese destroyer Akebono (DD 108) together with the Australian frigate Anzac (FFH 150) in the sea area between Vietnam and the Philippines. Both nations are thus sending out a signal in favour of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Most recently, a fleet of well over 200 alleged fishing vessels was anchored in bays of some of the reefs claimed by China. According to Chinese sources, the boats were merely seeking shelter from a storm. Western observers suspected that the crew consisted largely of Chinese militiamen and that the massive presence was intended to emphasise the claim to ownership. In addition to Japan and Australia, the US Navy also repeatedly carries out so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. In August, the German frigate Bavaria towards Australia. A crossing of the South China Sea is also planned for the return journey.

Japanese soldiers greet the Australian ship

Text: mb; Photos: JMSDF