How will #China respond to the US, #Philippines drills in the South China Sea? | #DW News
The United States and the #Philippines are set to begin their annual ‘ #Balikatan ’ – or “ shoulder-to-shoulder” - #military exercises. These are the most expansive military drills yet, and come amid a rise in tensions between #China and the Philippines.
This year’s drills will include the first-ever military exercises held outside of Philippine territorial waters, in the South China Sea. Those are waters are partly claimed by #Beijing. The US and the Philippines have a longstanding mutual defense treaty and at a recent summit in #Washington, US President Joe #Biden said his country’s commitments to Manila were “ironclad”.
