Joint US-Philippine exercises start near disputed South China Sea waters
Thousands of Philippine and American soldiers began annual war games yesterday near disputed waters in the South China Sea.
Thousands of Philippine and American soldiers began annual war games yesterday near disputed waters in the South China Sea, testing the readiness of the two oldest security allies in the southeast Asian region to respond to any emergency.
The Philippines has territorial disputes with China over the South China Sea, which is said to be rich in energy deposits and carries about US$5 billion in ship-borne trade every year.
Nearly 5,000 US and Philippine troops will participate in the 11-day annual exercise, to be held in the western Philippine island of Palawan, near the disputed Spratly Islands, and in the northwestern province of Zambales on the main island of Luzon, just 160 km from Scarborough Shoal, also disputed.
The Spratlys, called the Nansha Islands by China, are also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam. China calls the shoal Huangyan Island, while the Philippines calls it Panatag Shoal.
The air and marine exercises - known as the Philippine Bilateral Exercises or Phiblex - will focus on maritime security and territorial defence operations as China continues to step up its presence and activities in the region.
Two US amphibious ships, USS Peleliu and USS Germantown, are participating. Besides simulating boat raids and beach assaults, the exercises will feature aerial live fire, mechanised armour manoeuvres and parachute drops.