MANILA—New Zealand has expressed its dedication to regional stability through its participation in a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) alongside the Philippines, Australia, the United States, and Japan in the West Philippine Sea.
According to Philippines News Agency, the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) stated that the joint exercise, led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, underscores the collective resolve of these nations to uphold stability in the region. The exercise was conducted in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, highlighting a commitment to lawful maritime conduct.
The Royal New Zealand Navy’s involvement featured the deployment of the HMNZS Aotearoa, a maritime sustainment vessel, which embarked on this mission on September 28 in the South China Sea. This deployment marks New Zealand’s first participation in the Philippine-led MMCA, initiated in April and followed by subsequent collaborations involving Canada, the US, Japan, and Australia.
The NZDF emphasized that its participation aims to enhance interoperability among the naval forces of the involved countries, strengthening defense cooperation and supporting regional stability. The HMNZS Aotearoa has been active in the Indo-Pacific since June, engaging in various regional exercises and operations.
In response to the MMCA, the People’s Liberation Army of China announced it would conduct military drills and patrols in the South China Sea, including around the Scarborough Shoal, which lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone, signaling heightened military vigilance in the region.