China criticises Australia over joint exercises with Philippines, US in South China Sea

News Snapshot:

China's Foreign Ministry has sharply criticised Australia after it conducted another joint military exercise in the South China Sea with the US and the Philippines, accusing all three nations of trying to "create trouble." The Royal Australian Navy's destroyer HMAS Sydney joined a guided missile frigate from the Philippine Navy and aircraft from both the US and the Philippines last week to conduct the drills. Clashes between China's coast guard and vessels from the Philippines have intensified over the last 18 months, and several countries — including the US, Japan, Australia and Canada — have responded by stepping up joint...