Joint training activities of US, Japanese and Australian warships took place in the East Sea on February 7-8. (Source: US Navy)

The guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn and the warship USS Gabrielle Giffords conducted several operations with Japanese and Australian naval vessels, AP reported.

“This multinational operation strengthens the ties between the US, Japan and Australia,” said US Navy Lieutenant Commander Earvin Taylor, commanding officer of the USS John Finn.

According to Mr. Taylor, the three countries in the Quad group (including the US, Japan, Australia and India) "promote transparency, the rule of law, freedom of navigation and all the principles that emphasize security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific".

Meanwhile, Australian Major General Jonathan Ley said that the implementation of the above activities is "very important to enhance mutual understanding and joint operational capabilities between these countries".

The Quad grouping has frequently accused China of flexing its military muscle in the South China Sea and aggressively pushing its maritime territorial claims.

The navies of the four countries regularly hold exercises seen as part of an initiative to counter China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.