Warships from the US, Australia, and Japan conduct joint drills in the South China Sea, challenging Beijing's sovereignty claims. The exercises, involving guided-missile destroyers and combat ships, aim to promote transparency and freedom of navigation. China, which claims the area, objects to foreign military activities there. The region, crucial for international trade and rich in resources, sees ongoing tensions. The Quad alliance, including India, counters China's assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, while China maintains its military presence for defensive purposes. Tensions also persist in the East China Sea and around Taiwan.