This is the best summary I could come up with:

ABOARD USS CARL VINSON, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Japan's navy on Saturday announced the start of a joint annual military exercise, with the Philippines observing the operations for the first time as the two countries seek closer maritime cooperation.

The Japan-led Annualex exercise started on Friday with operations conducted by the naval forces of the United States, Australia and Canada, with the Philippines attending as an observer, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Vice Admiral Akira Saito told reporters.

"The Philippines is a very important country for us, and we are looking to coordinate with their navy at every possible opportunity," Saito said aboard the USS Carl Vinson as it sailed in an undisclosed location in the Pacific Ocean.

The exercise comes as Japan, the U.S. and the Philippines seek closer ties and deeper security cooperation to counter China, though Saito said the operations are not being conducted to target a specific country.

Saito added that strong cooperation between like-minded countries is crucial for the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Separately the Philippines' coast guard said on Saturday it would maintain its regular supply missions to troops stationed on a disputed atoll in the South China Sea even though it expects more Chinese vessels to be sent to the area.

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