US, Japan, Philippines launch drills; China protests — SkimNews
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- US conducts the Balikatan joint exercise with 10,000 troops in the Philippines, marking the largest annual war games to date.
- Japan sends ground troops to join the Balikatan drills, expanding its role in the Indo‑Pacific security partnership.
- China files a formal diplomatic protest against the drills, citing concerns over regional stability and its own security interests.
- Balikatan exercise includes energy‑leverage discussions as China uses its energy exports to pressure the Philippines, adding a non‑military dimension to the tensions.
- Philippines hosts the joint drills, reinforcing its strategic partnership with the US and Japan amid rising Chinese pressure.
Why it matters: U.S. defense planners gain operational readiness for 10,000 troops, while China’s protest intensifies diplomatic friction, raising the risk of accidental clashes in the South China Sea.
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