US Edition
China Warns Joint US, Philippines and Japan Drills Risk Regional Trust
- On Monday, Philippine Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. and US Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing opened Exercise Balikatan in Manila, with Japan's Self-Defense Forces fully participating for the first time.
- More than 17,000 personnel from seven countries, including a record 1,400 from Japan, are joining the 19-day 'Shoulder to Shoulder' exercises, maintaining last year's scale while expanding participation through new reciprocal access agreements.
- Live-Fire drills will occur near the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, featuring a Japanese Type-88 cruise missile test aimed at sinking a World War II-era minesweeper off the coast of Luzon.
- Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun criticized the exercises on Monday, warning that binding nations together in security is akin to 'playing with fire' and risks backfiring on participating countries.
- Against the backdrop of the Middle East war, US Lieutenant General Christian Wortman stated the United States' 'focus on the Indo-Pacific and our ironclad commitment to the Philippines remains unwavering' during Monday's ceremony.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Japan steps up role in US-Philippine combat drill
The Philippines and the United States have kicked off their annual joint military exercise. About 1,400 personnel from Japan's Self-Defense Forces are also taking part -- playing a direct operational role for the first time.
On Monday (April 20), Japan participated on a large scale for the first time in the annual "Balikatan" military exercises between the United States and the Philippines. Last week, Japan's ruling party approved a significant relaxation of arms export rules. The U.S. State Department reiterated the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Strengthening Philippines' defense ties vital amid China tensions — think tank
EXPANDING military cooperation with allied nations should anchor the Philippines’ strategic posture in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), a policy think tank said, citing rising tensions with China and the need for a stronger, alliance-driven defense framework.On the eve of the annual Balikatan Exercises, Stratbase ADR Institute President Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit said deepening defense ties with like-minded partners is critical to safeguarding P…
Philippines, U.S. begin military exercise, Japan fully joins 1st time
The Philippines and the United States on Monday kicked off an annual military exercise, with Japan's Self-Defense Forces fully participating for the first time in the large-scale drill aimed at enhancing defense interoperability among participating nations.
China Warns Against Joint US, Philippines, Japan Drills Eroding ...
China warns US, Japan, Philippines against ‘playing with fire’ over joint drills
Thousands of American and Philippine troops, joined for the first time by a significant contingent of Japanese forces, began annual military exercises Monday set against the backdrop of the Middle East war. US soldiers stand next to one of their High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) during a joint exercise between the Philippines and the US at Fort Magsaysay, in the Philippines’ Nueva Ecija province, on April 16, 2026. Photo: Ted Aljibe…
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