Rising tensions in the South China Sea have made freedom of navigation exercises "even more important", France's ambassador to the Philippines says, as the nuclear-powered Charles De Gaulle made its first port visit to the country. The aircraft carrier strike group, which includes a trio of destroyers, joined the Philippine Navy on Friday for drills in the disputed waterway that Manila said were aimed at enhancing "interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities". IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES