The Philippines and the United States are holding joint naval exercises in a climate of tension between China and its neighbors. Despite international legal rulings, Beijing claims the entire South China Sea as its own. That's contested by the Philippines and other Indian Ocean nations.

Manila

The Philippines and the United States have embarked on their most significant joint military exercise to date, named Balikatan, which translates to "shoulder-to-shoulder". Balikatan showcases the robust interoperability between the military forces of both nations. The exercises, which have been described by officials as constantly evolving, this year will place a keen focus on external defense capabilities. This aligns with the objective of strengthening mutual response and defense mechanisms to bolster regional security and protect shared interests.

This year's Balikatan exercises will see a series of firsts, including the use of short and middle range missile systems in both simulated and live fire exercises. An unprecedented cooperation during these exercises will also feature the Philippine Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard operating alongside the navies of both countries. Moreover, for the first time, the French Navy will participate, joining the Philippine and U.S. navies in sailing within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines in the South China Sea, a region subject to territorial claims by China.

Despite assertions from Philippine and U.S. defense officials that the drills are not intended to target any nation, China has criticized the exercises. Prior to the commencement of Balikatan, China expressed concerns over the Philippines involving external forces in its South China Sea territorial dispute. Beijing cautioned that such actions could exacerbate regional instability. On the domestic front, while a majority of Filipinos support the military alliance with the United States, protests were observed outside military headquarters. Demonstrators argued against U.S. military intervention, questioning its effectiveness in deterring perceived Chinese aggression in the South China Sea.



Filipino, U.S. troops set to begin joint combat exercise

Philippines and the United States have kicked off the largest of its annual joint military exercises known as Balikatan, a Filipino word which means shoulder-to-shoulder. And officials say this is exactly what these exercises are about. It's to demonstrate the interoperability of the armed forces of both countries. But during the opening ceremony, officials also said that these exercises are constantly evolving and that this year they're focusing on external defense. And so this year we are going to be seeing a number of firsts. We are going to be seeing the demonstration, the simulation, and also live fire exercises involving short and middle range missile systems. We are also going to be seeing for the first time the Philippine Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard sailing together with the Philippine and U.S. navies. Now on that point, the U.S. and Philippine Navy are actually going to be joined by the French Navy as well, and they will be sailing for the first time outside the territorial waters of the Philippines during the Balikatan exercises. They're going to be sailing within the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Philippines, but these are areas in the South China Sea that are also being claimed by China. When we increase our mutual response and defense capabilities, we strengthen our ability to promote regional security and to protect our shared interests. Now both Philippine and U.S. defense officials insist that these military drills are not targeted against any country, but ahead of Balikatan, China has said that it is dangerous for the Philippines to involve external forces, to involve another country in its territorial dispute with China in the South China Sea, and that this will only serve to contribute to more regional instability. We urge the Philippines to stop its provocations and call on relevant countries to stop provoking conflicts in the region. Now a majority of Filipinos do support the military alliance between the Philippines and the United States, but just outside the military headquarters, there were protesters and they say that they oppose U.S. military intervention and they don't see how U.S. military presence here could deter what they say is Chinese aggression in the South China Sea. Barna below, Al Jazeera, Manila.

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