MANILA, Philippines — The recent joint exercises between Philippines and United States coast guards in the West Philippine Sea showed a “joint pushback” against China’s expansive claims in the vital sea lane, a maritime expert said.

Jay Batongbacal, director of the University of the Philippines Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said Thursday the search and rescue exercise was a “demonstration of high seas freedoms, so in a way is a joint pushback against China’s expansive claims.”

Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Batangas and BRP Kalanggaman conducted capability exercise with US Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf 50 nautical miles from Subic Bay or in the vicinity of Scarborough Shoal last Tuesday. They carried out a communication exercise and rescue simulation as part of the training.

PH-US drills near Scarborough show ’joint pushback’ vs China — expert