The Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Royal New Zealand Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US Navy conducted a maritime cooperation exercise in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea over the weekend, Pentagon Deputy spokesperson Sabrina Singh said in a statement: "At-sea exercises like this demonstrate the strength and relationship between partners and allies and enhance cooperation, interoperability and combined capabilities in the maritime domain, contributing to peace, stability and supporting freedom of navigation and overflight in the Indo-Pacific region".

"This was the first time New Zealand has participated", Singh said, "and it demonstrates that cooperation is at the heart of our approach to a safe and more prosperous region, where aircraft and ships from all Nations can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows".