Kicking off Philippines drills, US vows defense in South China Sea

By Agence France-Presse

Apr 12, 2023 10:04 am

WASHINGTON, D.C.: The United States on Tuesday promised to defend the Philippines in the dispute-rife South China Sea as the allies launched their largest-ever joint exercises in the face of Beijing's growing assertiveness in the region.

Nearly 18,000 troops are taking part in the annual exercises dubbed Balikatan, or 'shoulder to shoulder' in Filipino, which for the first time will include a live-fire drill in the South China Sea, which Beijing claims almost entirely.

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