HONOLULU: The defense chiefs of the Philippines, Japan, the United States, and Australia have jointly criticized China for its use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels in the South China Sea. The statement came after a meeting among Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Richard Marles at the Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters in Honolulu on May 2.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ministers expressed strong objections to China's actions, which they described as dangerous and destabilizing, specifically citing China's obstruction of Philippine vessels and disruptions to supply lines at Second Thomas Shoal. They reaffirmed their commitment to uphold freedom of navigation and urged China to adhere to the 2016 Arbitral Ruling on the South China Sea, pledging further cooperation for regional security and stability.