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China-Asean relations
ChinaDiplomacy

China offers to conduct military drills with Philippines amid tensions

  • Manila’s military chief says proposal came from Chinese envoy and is being studied
  • Relations between the two nations have been strained over the South China Sea

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Chinese aircraft carrier the Liaoning sails during a drill. Manila’s military chief said establishing relations with armies around the world “is one way for us to prevent war”. Photo: AFP
Reuters

China has offered to hold joint military exercises with the Philippines, local media reported on Thursday, quoting Manila’s military chief.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner will study the offer which was presented to him by China’s ambassador to Manila, CNN Philippines and state-run PTV reported.

“They said they submitted some white papers, we have to study,” Brawner said in a video posted by CNN Philippines on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

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There was no immediate comment from Brawner, but military spokesman Medel Aguilar said he did see the video of Brawner’s interview and reiterated the conversation he had with the Chinese diplomat was “informal”.

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner said the drills would not be conducted in the South China Sea. Photo: AP
Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Romeo Brawner said the drills would not be conducted in the South China Sea. Photo: AP
“I am not aware if we are already furnished with the white papers,” Aquilar said. Brawner spoke to reporters on the sidelines of an event hosted by China’s ambassador in Manila to mark the anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army, Aquilar said.
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China’s embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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