"Is it harassment of China or joint defensive action?" Naval exercises between America and the Philippines for the seventh time.

The Philippine army announced today, Thursday, that its naval forces, along with other American forces, conducted joint exercises in the South China Sea for the seventh time, aiming to enhance cooperation between the two sides.

The exercises took place off the coasts of Occidental Mindoro and Zambales provinces, away from disputed areas, and included joint operations near the coasts as well as naval support.

According to the Philippine army statement, "maritime cooperation activities are evidence of the two countries' determination to strengthen cooperation and enhance bilateral operations in accordance with international law."

The exercises also included a display of the Philippine ship "Miguel Malvar," which entered service last month. It is a 118-meter long guided-missile frigate, one of two frigates produced by South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries as part of the Philippine military modernization program.

Military cooperation between the two countries, linked by a mutual defense treaty during the era of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has increased in response to China's growing presence in the South China Sea.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.