How will China respond to the US, Philippines drills in the South China Sea? | DW News

The United States and the Philippines are set to begin their annual ‘Balikatan’ – or “shoulder-to-shoulder” - military exercises. These are the most expansive military drills yet, and come amid a rise in tensions between China and the Philippines.

This year’s drills will include the first-ever military exercises held outside of Philippine territorial waters, in the South China Sea. Those are waters are partly claimed by Beijing. The US and the Philippines have a longstanding mutual defense treaty and at a recent summit in Washington, US President Joe Biden said his country’s commitments to Manila were “ironclad”.