The US and the Philippines have commenced their biggest joint military exercises since the 1990s, centred on the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, which is likely to prompt an angry response from Beijing. The Balikatan drills will run until 28 April, and involve 17,600 military personnel, including US warships, Patriot missiles, anti-tank Javelins, fighter jets and rocket launchers. The event is partly aimed at boosting the Philippines’ coastal defences, and was not aimed at any specific country, said Philippine military officials. However, the move is expected to raise tensions in the contested waters.
