The Philippines and the US kicked off three weeks of military exercises on Monday that are set to further strain the countries’ relations with China.
This year’s staging of Balikatan, the allies’ largest annual military drill, will include a joint sail in the disputed South China Sea outside the Philippines’ territorial waters. The French navy, a first-time Balikatan participant, and the Australian navy will also join the manoeuvres.
While the US and the Philippines resumed joint naval patrols in the area last year, and the US has in the past sailed there with other allies and partners, it will be the first time that the Balikatan drills have extended beyond 12 nautical miles off the Philippine coast and into waters claimed by China.
您已阅读20%（741字），剩余80%（3016字）包含更多重要信息，订阅以继续探索完整内容，并享受更多专属服务。