Canada, Philippines, Japan, US promote multilateral maritime cooperation
Pham Ha, VOV correspondent in Indonesia -
(VOVWORLD) - Canada has joined its first joint patrol with the Philippines, Japan, and the US in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam) to uphold freedom of navigation and overflight.
 Canada, the Philippines, Japan, and the US hold a joint patrol in the South China Sea on June 16, 2024. (Photo: US Navy) |
The Royal Canadian Navy deployed Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal to join the Philippine Navy’s patrol ship, Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer, and the US Navy’s guided-missile destroyer, the US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) said in a statement. It also said that the activity demonstrates the collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the maritime domain.
The US, Canada, Japan, and the Philippines conducted a joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea in April. Japan is committed to strengthening its partnerships with like-minded countries in upholding freedom of navigation and rule of law, the Japanese embassy said in a statement.
The Philippines and Canada signed an MoU on defence cooperation earlier this year, a move which military officials said could later lead to a troop pact between the two countries.
Pham Ha, VOV correspondent in Indonesia