MANILA (Reuters) – The Philippines and the United States have conducted joint maritime exercises for the fifth time in the South China Sea, Manila’s armed forces said on Sunday, in a move that is likely to anger China.

The Philippine military said in a statement that it conducted a “maritime cooperative activity” with the US on Friday and Saturday, the first for the year and fifth overall since the joint activity was launched in 2023.

Security ties between the two allies have soared under Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who approached Washington, allowing the expansion of military bases accessible to American forces, including facilities facing Taiwan.

The joint maritime activity includes the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group of the United States, two guided missile destroyers, two helicopters and two F-18 Hornet aircraft.

The Philippine side deployed the Antonio Luna frigate, Andres Bonifacio patrol ship, two FA-50 fighter jets, and search and rescue assets of the air force.

The activities “strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation and interoperability”, the Philippine armed forces said.

Their joint activity came at a time when the Philippines called out China over the presence of Chinese coast guard vessels within its maritime zone, including a 165-m (541 ft) vessel it described as “the monster” in size. on it. .

The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment in a week.