PLA Conducts South China Sea Drill with Malaysia Amid Japan-Philippines Exercise Launch

October 9, 2025

China Initiates joint Military Drill with Southeast Asian Nations

Beijing has commenced its sixth joint military exercise, named Aman Youyi-2025, alongside Southeast Asian partner nations. The drills, which began this week, are geared towards bolstering cooperation in critical areas like Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief (HADR), and Maritime Security.

focus on Non-Customary Security Threats

The People’s liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command confirmed that over 1,000 personnel are participating in the exercise. Participating forces are deploying a range of assets, including unmanned systems, naval vessels, and helicopter units. The intention, according to China’s defense ministry, is to fortify collaborative capacities to address non-traditional security challenges and maintain regional stability.

Scaled-Back Exercise Compared to 2023

This year’s iteration of Aman Youyi represents a reduction in scope compared to the 2023 edition. The 2023 exercise involved approximately 3,000 troops from China, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. While this year’s exercise prioritizes focused collaboration, it marks a continuation of efforts to build trust and interoperability within the region.

Deployment and Regional Observation

Forces participating from the PLA departed from ports located in Guangdong province’s Zhanjiang, Hainan province’s Sanya, and Hong Kong on wednesday. Representatives from several other Southeast Asian countries have been invited to observe the drills, fostering clarity and regional engagement. the exercise is taking place in waters near Malaysia.

Regional Military Cooperation: A Comparative Look

Joint military exercises are becoming increasingly common in the Indo-Pacific region. These drills are frequently enough centered around improving responses to natural disasters and maintaining freedom of navigation. Here’s a comparison of recent regional exercises:

Exercise Name	Participating Nations	Focus Area	Approximate Personnel
Aman youyi-2025	China, malaysia, and others (observers)	HADR, maritime Security	1,000+
cobra Gold	Thailand, United States, and others	HADR, Security Cooperation	8,000+
Komodo	indonesia and others	Maritime Security, HADR	400+

Did You Know? The first Aman Youyi exercise was conducted in 2014, signifying a growing trend of military cooperation between China and its Southeast Asian neighbors.

Pro Tip: Understanding the evolving dynamics of military exercises in the region is crucial for assessing geopolitical shifts and potential security implications.

The Growing Importance of HADR in the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific region is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters,including typhoons,earthquakes,and tsunamis. This heightened vulnerability underscores the need for enhanced regional cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Joint exercises like Aman Youyi facilitate the development of coordinated response mechanisms, enabling faster and more effective assistance during crises. According to the United Nations Office for Disaster risk Reduction (UNDRR), the Asia-Pacific region accounted for 40% of the world’s reported disasters between 2000 and 2019. This statistic highlights the critical need for preparedness and collaborative efforts.

Frequently Asked questions About Aman Youyi

• What is the primary goal of the Aman Youyi exercise? It aims to deepen cooperation between China and Southeast Asian militaries in areas like humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and maritime security.
• How does this year’s exercise differ from the 2023 edition? This year’s drill is significantly smaller in scale,involving fewer personnel compared to the 2023 exercise.
• Which countries are participating in the Aman Youyi-2025 exercise? China and Malaysia are the main participants, with other Southeast Asian nations invited as observers.
• what types of equipment are being used in the exercise? Participating forces are deploying unmanned systems,naval vessels,and helicopters.
• Why is maritime security a focus of the exercise? Maintaining security and stability in the region’s maritime domain is crucial for trade and regional peace.
• What is the importance of HADR exercises in the Indo-Pacific region? The Indo-Pacific is highly prone to natural disasters, making HADR cooperation essential for saving lives and mitigating the impacts of crises.
• How do these exercises contribute to regional stability? By fostering trust and interoperability, these drills help build confidence and prevent misunderstandings that could escalate tensions.

What are your thoughts on increased military cooperation in the region? Share your perspective in the comments below!

How might the concurrent military exercises by China/Malaysia and Japan/Philippines impact the existing balance of power in the South China Sea region?

Concurrent Military Activities Heighten Regional focus

Recent developments in the South China sea underscore a complex interplay of military posturing and strategic alliances. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has conducted joint maritime exercises with Malaysia, coinciding with the commencement of a separate joint drill between japan and the Philippines. These simultaneous activities are drawing notable attention from regional security analysts and international observers. The exercises highlight the ongoing tensions and efforts to assert influence in this vital waterway.

Details of the PLA-Malaysia Exercise

The PLA Navy’s exercise with the Royal Malaysian Navy, dubbed “Maritime Silk Road 2025,” focused on several key areas:

* Joint Patrols: Simulated coordinated patrols to enhance maritime domain awareness.

* Search and Rescue: Collaborative drills designed to improve response capabilities to maritime emergencies.

* Anti-Piracy Operations: Training exercises focused on countering piracy and ensuring safe navigation.

* Communication Interoperability: Enhancing communication protocols between the two navies.

This exercise builds upon growing defense cooperation between China and Malaysia, including arms deals and personnel exchanges. The location of the drills, within the South China Sea, is particularly noteworthy given the overlapping territorial claims in the region. Analysts suggest this demonstrates China’s intent to solidify relationships with Southeast Asian nations and project a message of stability – albeit one defined by its own interests. The exercise involved destroyers, frigates, and support vessels from both navies.

Japan-Philippines Bilateral Exercise “Samahahan 2025”

In a parallel advancement,Japan and the Philippines launched “Samahahan 2025” (meaning “together” in Tagalog),a large-scale bilateral exercise. This drill is significantly different in scope and intent from the PLA-Malaysia exercise.

* Focus on Maritime Security: The primary objective is to bolster maritime security capabilities in the face of increasing Chinese assertiveness.

* Live-Fire Drills: included live-fire exercises simulating naval warfare scenarios.

* Amphibious Landings: Practiced amphibious assault techniques, indicating a focus on potential island defense.

* Air Defense Exercises: Joint air defense drills to counter potential aerial threats.

The participation of the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) marks a deepening security partnership between Tokyo and Manila. This exercise is widely viewed as a direct response to China’s growing military presence and territorial claims in the South China Sea. The exercise involves a substantial number of personnel, ships, aircraft, and ground troops from both countries.

Strategic Implications and Regional Reactions

the timing of these concurrent exercises is unlikely to be coincidental. They represent competing visions for regional security and influence.

* China’s Approach: China favors bilateral engagements and emphasizes non-traditional security cooperation (like search and rescue) to build relationships and avoid direct confrontation. This strategy aims to create a narrative of China as a responsible stakeholder in regional stability.

* japan & Philippines’ Approach: Japan and the Philippines are strengthening their alliance with a focus on collective defense and deterrence. This approach is driven by concerns over China’s military buildup and its disregard for international law, particularly the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling on the south China Sea.

other Southeast asian nations are closely monitoring these developments.Vietnam, Brunei, and Taiwan also have competing claims in the South China Sea and are likely assessing the implications of these exercises for their own security postures. Indonesia, while not directly involved, maintains a neutral stance but is increasingly vocal about upholding maritime law.

Past Context: South China Sea Disputes

The south China Sea dispute is a long-standing issue rooted in overlapping territorial claims. China claims historical rights to nearly the entire sea, based on the “nine-dash line,” a vaguely defined demarcation that is not recognized by most other countries.

* Key Claimants: China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan all have competing claims to islands, reefs, and waters in the region.

* Resource Potential: The South China Sea is believed to hold significant reserves of oil and natural gas, as well as rich fishing grounds.

* Strategic Importance: The sea is a vital shipping lane, carrying trillions of dollars in trade annually.

The Role of the United States

the United States maintains a strong military presence in the region and consistently conducts freedom of navigation operations (FONOPs) to challenge China’s claims. While not directly participating in either of these recent exercises, the US provides significant military aid and training to the Philippines and maintains close security ties with Japan.The US position is crucial in balancing regional power dynamics. recent statements from the Pentagon have reiterated the US commitment to supporting its allies and upholding international law in the South China sea.

Future Outlook: Escalation or De-escalation?

The current situation presents a complex and possibly volatile landscape. Whether these concurrent exercises will lead to escalation or de-escalation remains to be seen.

* Increased Military Presence: A continued