• India and the Philippines have staged a joint naval exercise in the disputed South China Sea for the first time.

• The two-day joint naval sail and exercise began on August 3 and was conducted successfully.

• Indian Navy ships that took part included guided missile destroyer INS Delhi, tanker INS Shakti and corvette INS Kiltan. 

• The Philippines deployed two frigates, BRP Miguel Malvar and BRP Jose Rizal.

• Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner said the idea for the two-day joint passage, which was inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, came about when he met his counterpart in India in March.

• China claims sovereignty over most of the South China Sea.

• The Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command accused the Philippines of drawing in outside countries to organise joint patrols that it said undermine regional peace and stability.

• Two Chinese navy ships, including a guided-missile destroyer, were spotted about 25 nautical miles from one of two Philippine navy frigates that participated in the joint sail.

• The Southern Theater Command said it conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea and added that it remains resolute in defending China’s territory and maritime rights and interests.

• China has rapidly expanded its military and become increasingly assertive in pursuing territorial claims in the South China Sea. 

• The tensions have led to more frequent confrontations, primarily with the Philippines and Vietnam, though the Chinese coast guard has had recent territorial tiffs with Indonesia and Malaysia.

Some key points on South China Sea

The South China Sea is bordered by several countries:

• North: China and Taiwan

• West: The Indo-Chinese peninsula, which includes Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore

• South: Indonesia and Brunei

• East: The Philippines.

• It is linked to the East China Sea via the Taiwan Strait and to the Philippine Sea through the Luzon Strait.

Trade Importance

• The South China Sea is a strategic shipping route where $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce takes place.

• The South China Sea is one of the world’s busiest maritime routes. 

• About 80 per cent of global trade by volume and 70 per cent by value is transported by sea.

• About 60 per cent of this trade moves through Asia, with one-third of global shipping navigating the South China Sea.

Economic Reliance:

• China: As the world’s second-largest economy, 64 per cent of its trade passes through the South China Sea.

• India: Relies on this sea for approximately 55 per cent of its trade.

Fishing Resources:

• The South China Sea is a rich fishing ground, providing essential livelihoods and food security for millions in the region. The disputes over territorial waters significantly affect fishing rights and resources, impacting local communities and economies.

China’s Claims

• Nine-Dash Line: China asserts sovereignty over up to 90 per cent of the South China Sea based on its “nine-dash line” map, which encompasses a vast area and overlaps with claims from other nations.

• Military Expansion: China has engaged in extensive dredging and artificial island-building, particularly in the Paracel and Spratly Islands, creating approximately 3,200 acres of new land since 2013. This includes the construction of military installations to reinforce its control over the area.

• Scarborough Shoal Control: China maintains a constant Coast Guard presence around the Scarborough Shoal, further asserting its claims despite competing claims from the Philippines.

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