What's happened
Philippines and US forces have commenced joint military exercises in the South China Sea, involving 16,700 troops simulating various military scenarios, including retaking islands and maritime drills.
Why it matters
The joint military drills between the Philippines and the US in the South China Sea are significant as they demonstrate a commitment to enhancing defense capabilities and interoperability in the face of rising tensions in the region.
What the papers say
The South China Morning Post highlights the drills as a show of force aimed at China, while The Guardian emphasizes China's warning against external forces flexing 'gunboat muscles' in the South China Sea.
How we got here
The annual Balikatan drills, meaning 'shoulder-to-shoulder,' have been conducted since 1991, focusing on enhancing military cooperation and readiness between the Philippines and the US.
Common question
More on these topics
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Situated in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of about 7,641 islands that are broadly categorized under three main geographical divisions from
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The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the Western Pacific Ocean. It is bounded in the north by the shores of South China, in the west by the Indochinese Peninsula, in the east by the islands of Taiwan and northwestern Philippines, and in the south by B
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China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
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Beijing, alternatively romanized as Peking, is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is the world's most populous capital city, with over 21 million residents within an administrative area of 16,410.5 kmĀ².
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Manila, officially the City of Manila, is the capital of the Philippines and a highly urbanized city. It is the most densely populated city proper in the world as of 2019.
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Exercise Balikatan is the most prominent annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States. The Tagalog word balikatan means "shoulder-to-shoulder".
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The Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean. Asia-Pacific varies in area depending on context, but it generally includes East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania.