Flurry of international naval drills around Philippines prompts complaints from Beijing

Recent naval drills in the Philippines involving the US, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines have drawn criticism from China, which claims the entire South China Sea. The exercises, intended to enhance cooperation among the participating forces, took place within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. China condemned the drills as destabilizing and accused the Philippines of colluding with foreign powers to challenge China's territorial claims. This tension is exacerbated by China's extensive claims in the South China Sea, despite a UN-backed court ruling against most of its claims.