File photo shows a Chinese H-6K bomber patrolling islands and reefs including Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. Photo: Xinhua

The US and French navies recently conducted a joint drill in the Philippine Sea "in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific," but Chinese experts said on Thursday that the move had no practical significance and served only as a publicity stunt.

The US Navy and French Navy joined forces for bilateral operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Philippine Sea on Tuesday, according to an official statement by the US 7th Fleet on Thursday.

The operations involved the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and the French Navy's Aquitaine-class frigate FS Bretagne, the statement said.

The ships conducted formation sailing, combined communications, and simulated refueling at sea, according to the statement.

Experts said the US statement was meant to show that its so-called Indo-Pacific Strategy is supported by its allies and to act as a "deterrent" to countries in the region. Additionally, the location of the exercise signals support from the US and its allies to the Philippines.

In this context, Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that the exercises were merely for show and lacked practical significance, with the French warship simply stopping by to cater to the US.

The US remains the biggest external factor stirring up regional tensions, and its drive to promote small multilateral mechanisms and bloc confrontation stems from a deep-rooted Cold War mentality and a misperception of China's position, Ding Duo, deputy director of the Institute of Maritime Law and Policy at China's National Institute for South China Sea Studies, told the Global Times on Thursday.

Countries from outside the region are exploiting the South China Sea issue to stage publicity stunts, which will lead to further intensification of tensions in the South China Sea under the guise of security concerns, Ding noted.