More than 17,000 Filipino and American soldiers began the largest joint military exercises ever today, Tuesday, amid warming relations between the two allied countries due to shared concerns over China’s increasing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Major General Marvin Licudine, director of military exercises in the Philippines, stated during the inauguration ceremony of the drills that "the highlight of the exercises will be live-fire training on the coast, aimed at training on joint tactics and procedures for executing a maritime strike."
Acting U.S. Military Training Director Major General Eric Austin announced that the Balikatan exercises will emphasize that "we are ready to respond to real-world challenges together."
The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the joint exercises on Monday, stating that the drills "should not interfere in South China Sea disputes, let alone harm China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights and interests, and security interests."
For the first time, the Philippines and the United States will conduct live-fire training at sea during the three-week-long exercises named "Balikatan," meaning "Shoulder to Shoulder."
Defense and foreign ministers from both countries are set to meet for the first time in seven years in Washington this week.
The annual expanded exercises highlight the improvement in defense relations under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. after his predecessor scaled back training in an effort to strengthen ties with Beijing.
The joint exercises, long scheduled, began just as China concluded three days of military drills around Taiwan, which included simulations of precision strikes and encircling the island, following a meeting between Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy in Los Angeles.
