New Zealand affirms commitment to regional stability in MMCA

MANILA – The New Zealand government on Saturday said the joint sail among the Philippines, Australia, the United States, Japan, and its naval force is a demonstration of the five nations' commitment to stability in the region.

In a statement sent to the Philippine News Agency, the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF) confirmed that the multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA), led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, was held in the West Philippine Sea.

"Defense cooperation with partners in our region is commonplace," it said. "It is an opportunity for the participants to strengthen the defense cooperation between them and support regional stability, while at all times observing the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea."

The Royal New Zealand Navy deployed its maritime sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa for the activity, which the NZDF said "got underway on September 28 in the South China Sea."

For the NZDF, its participation provides an opportunity for New Zealand "to strengthen interoperability in the maritime context" with the participating states.

HMNZS Aotearoa has been deployed in the Indo-Pacific region since June and had been conducting regional engagements, training exercises and operations.

This is the first time that New Zealand deployed a military asset to the Philippine-led MMCA, since it was launched in April and followed by two other sails with Canada, the US, Japan, and Australia.

Following the announcement of the MMCA Saturday morning, the People's Liberation Army said it will conduct military drills in the South China Sea as well as patrols around the Scarborough Shoal, a feature located within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone. (PNA)