Philippines, Japan, US Complete Exercises in South China Sea

The Philippines, Japan and the US completed their latest round of joint defense exercises in the South China Sea as tensions between Manila and Beijing escalate in the contested waterway. In a statement on Sunday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the three countries had deployed naval vessels and aircraft as part of the drill from July 21 to July 25. The exercises “underscore the enduring partnership among the partner nations in promoting peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacifi