China has been stepping up its long-term campaign to strengthen maritime power, pursuing marine economy growth and expanding its naval force. This latest move is part of a broader effort to assert its dominance in the region. The Chinese military's Southern Theater Command said on Friday its Naval Task Group 107 carried out activities that focused on live-fire shooting, sea-air coordination, rapid maneuvers and maritime replenishments to test integrated joint combat capabilities.
The Balikatan exercises, running from April 20 to May 8, include drills in Luzon. The Philippines and U.S. will for the first time hold maritime strike drills on the island of Itbayat, the northernmost point of the Philippines about 155 km (96 miles) from Taiwan, which China views as its own territory.
The increasing frequency of military exercises in the South China Sea raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for miscalculations. The Chinese government's response to these drills is to claim that they are a 'necessary operation' in response to the current regional situation and are in full compliance with international law and practice.
China has repeatedly criticised the Philippines for conducting defence exercises with its allies, saying they risk raising regional tensions. The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment on this latest development.
The Chinese military's actions in the South China Sea have been a source of concern for many countries in the region. The Philippines and Taiwan are among those that reject China's sovereignty claims over the disputed territory.
Counter-landing live-fire drills will also take place in the Philippines' Zambales province on the South China Sea, about 230 km (143 miles) from the hotly contested Scarborough Shoal, a strategic atoll controlled by China.
The increasing militarization of the South China Sea is having significant implications for regional security and trade. The waterway supports more than $3 trillion of annual commerce.
Beijing has been stepping up its efforts to strengthen maritime power, pursuing marine economy growth and expanding its naval force. This move is part of a broader effort to assert its dominance in the region.
The Balikatan exercises are an important demonstration of the alliance between the Philippines and the U.S. The drills will also provide an opportunity for the two countries to practice their military capabilities and build trust.
The increasing frequency of military exercises in the South China Sea raises concerns about regional stability and the potential for miscalculations.
