Japan, the United States, Australia, and the Philippines announced today, Saturday, that they intend to conduct the first large-scale joint naval exercise in the South China Sea, in a clear demonstration of unity in confronting Chinese maritime influence.

Japanese news agency Kyodo quoted a statement from the defense ministers of the four countries at a joint meeting, saying that the joint naval exercise will take place in the Philippine exclusive economic zone tomorrow, Sunday, to show "a collective commitment to enhancing regional and international cooperation to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region."

The United States and its three allies have strengthened their bilateral or multilateral relations since the first meeting of the defense ministers of the four countries held in June last year.

China's influence has been increasing in the resource-rich South China Sea, and in the latest incident, the Chinese Coast Guard used water hoses against a Philippine ship near contested shallow waters late last month.

The four ministers said in the statement, "We stand with all countries in protecting the international order based on the rule of law," which is the "foundation" of regional peace and stability.

Philippine government sources mentioned that the joint exercises will take place off the Philippine island of Palawan