MANILA: The United States and the Philippines on Tuesday launched their biggest-ever joint military exercise as the longstanding allies seek to counter growing Chinese hegemony in the region.
Nearly 18,000 military troops are part of the annual military exercises dubbed Balikatan, meaning “shoulder to shoulder”, in Filipino, which for the first time would include a live-fire drill in the South China Sea, which China claims almost entirely.
The drills follow Monday’s conclusion of a third Chinese military exercise that simulated targeted strikes in Taiwan and the blockade of self-ruled, island, which China considers part of its territory.
Balikatan will include army helicopters landing on the Philippine island off the northern tip of the major island of Luzon, nearly 300 kilometres from Taiwan, and the retaking of another island by amphibious forces.
It will be the first time the military exercises have been held under President Ferdinand Marcos, who has sought to strengthen relations with the US after his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte thrashed the alliance.
“In order for us to protect our sovereign territory, we’ve to drill and practice how we’re going to retake an island that’s been taken away from us,” Philippine military spokesperson Col. Michael Logico told reporters after the opening ceremony of the drills at the army camp in Manila.
In recent months, Washington and Manila have agreed to restart joint maritime patrols in the South China Sea and struck the deal to expand the footprint of US forces in Philippines, which has infuriated China.
US troops will be allowed to use the additional four Philippine army bases under the pact, including the naval base not far from Taiwan.
US-Philippines partnership amid rising tensions with China
The Philippines’ proximity to the island could potentially make it a key US partner in the event of a Chinese invasion.
News of the increased base access prompted China to accuse the US of “endangering regional stability and peace.”
China’s ambassador to Manila, Huang Xilian, said previous week that “Countries in this part of the globe must uphold strategic independence and firmly resist the Cold-War mentality and bloc confrontation,”
About 5,400 Filipino, 12,200 American, and just over 100 Australian troops will participate in the two weeks of Balikatan military exercises — about twice as many as last year.
