The Philippine army held joint maritime drills with Australia, Canada, and the U.S. amid territorial tensions with neighbouring China.

The four nations conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in an unspecified part of the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone on August 7.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the exercises involved the Philippines' BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) vessel with a AW159 helicopter and the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), Australia's Poseidon Aircraft (P8A), Canada's HMCS Montreal (FFH336) and Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone helicopter, and the United States' USS Lake Erie (CG70) and Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. said: 'This multilateral exercise underscores the commitment of our nations to ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. By working together, we enhance our collective capabilities and demonstrate our shared dedication to maintaining a secure maritime environment.'

Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad, Philippine Navy spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea, said the MCA, which will be held until August 8, is the first involving all four countries.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.