Our Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Guardians – and those of our Allies – are spending this holiday season preserving a Free and Open Indo-Pacific that benefits all.

The United States continues operations in the region to maintain peace and stability; uphold international law, including freedom of navigation and overflight; and support unimpeded commerce and other lawful uses of the sea.

Alongside our Allies and partners, we are closely tracking the military activities of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea and Philippine Sea, as well as the ongoing Russia-China exercise in the East China Sea.

We continue to oppose any military pressure or coercion against our Allies and partners in the region.

The United States has been very clear: we will continue to be forthright in opposing any behavior that challenges and bends the rules which the international community has relied upon to maintain stability and peace.