The United States, Japan and the Philippines have concluded a major five-day maritime exercise amid rising tensions with China across the South China Sea. The drills brought together warships, coast guard vessels, fighter aircraft and surveillance planes to strengthen trilateral military coordination. During the exercise, the Philippines accused Chinese coast guard ships of twice firing water cannons near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, while Beijing defended its actions as lawful enforcement. As regional security cooperation expands, the latest confrontation highlights the growing rivalry unfolding across one of the world's most contested waterways.
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