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US, Philippines kick off combat drills amid China tension

The joint drills include simulations of US and Filipino troops recapturing islands as Manila and Beijing contest maritime territory in the South China Sea.

Some 16,700 Filipino and US troops began annual joint military exercises in the Philippines on Monday, amid tensions with China over Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.

The exercises, dubbed Balikatan, or “shoulder to shoulder,” include testing weaponry and equipment.

This year, the drills also include the mock retaking of “occupied” islands in the South China Sea.

In recent months, China and the Philippines have been at odds over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, with Chinese coast guard vessels frequently harassing Philippine boats with water cannons.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

annual joint military exercises

This is a non-story, one I would qualify as clickbait. It’s something I didn’t think DW sunk to.

I’m not going to take it down, but I can’t speak for any other mods.

MicroWave OP ,
@MicroWave@lemmy.world avatar

I don’t think so. There are other important parts in the article:

For the first time, the annual event will also involve troops from the Australian and French military. Fourteen other countries in Asia and Europe will attend as observers. The exercises will run until May 10.

…

The 2024 exercises are also the first to take place outside of Philippine territorial waters.

“Some of the exercises will take place in the South China Sea in an area outside of the Philippines’ territorial sea. It’s a direct challenge to China’s expansive claims” in the region, Philippine political analyst Richard Heydarian told DW.

He added that some of the exercises this year will also be close to Taiwan.

This year’s exercises have a “dual orientation pushing against China’s aggressive intentions both in the South China Sea but also in Taiwan,” he added.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

Yes, military exercises are different every year.

The bear is also poked every year.

Edit: If you don’t think this is an annual media scare event, this is the one from last year: apnews.com/…/us-philippines-military-exercises-60…

crazyCat ,

This is very important news in the Asia region, with key developments and noteworthy significance. I’m glad it’s present here.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

As important as it was in 2023? www.voanews.com/a/…/7070470.html

And 2022? reuters.com/…/philippines-us-hold-biggest-militar…

Admittedly, Duterte stopped them for a while- cbsnews.com/…/philippines-president-rodrigo-duter…

But then back in 2015… www.voanews.com/a/…/2726353.html

crazyCat ,

Yes, the details and global awareness of America’s increasingly significant investment in the relationship with the Philippines is important. This was nearly lost under Duterte and is a key bulwark against China’s aggression towards Taiwan. This is a milestone worth acknowledging as a trend in the right direction.

FlyingSquid ,
@FlyingSquid@lemmy.world avatar

That is a fair point, but that is definitely not the thrust of DW’s article.

gimpchrist ,
@gimpchrist@lemmy.world avatar

Bloody well yes it is… I don’t know if you’re Filipino or anything but it does matter to Filipinos it’s pretty freaking important every single time because when ya get comfortable about it is the time China is going to freaking try to take it all, so yes every single piece of information is important. Every time.

autotldr Bot ,

This is the best summary I could come up with:

Some 16,700 Filipino and US troops began annual joint military exercises in the Philippines on Monday, amid tensions with China over Beijing’s growing assertiveness in the region.

Lieutenant General William Jurney, the US Marine Corps Pacific commander, said at an opening ceremony in Manila the drills are going to “show the people of the Philippines” that the US and Filipino military cooperation has gotten “better.”

Ahead of the drills, Philippine Colonel Michael Logico told reporters “The purpose of armed forces, why we exist, is really to prepare for war.”

It’s a direct challenge to China’s expansive claims" in the region, Philippine political analyst Richard Heydarian told DW.

The US is a treaty ally of the Philippines and serves as a guarantor of its security in case of a potential conflict in the South China Sea.

Earlier in April, President Biden pledged to defend the Philippines from any attack in the disputed maritime territory, as he hosted the first joint summit with Manila and Tokyo.

The original article contains 462 words, the summary contains 162 words. Saved 65%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!

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