Massive U.S.-Philippine Joint Military Exercises Get Underway With the Goal of Sending a Clear Message to China

U.S. and Filipino military officers lead the opening ceremony of the 'Balikatan' joint military exercise at the military headquarters in Quezon City, suburban Manila on April 22, 2024. JAM STA ROSA / AFP

Nearly 17,000 soldiers from four countries are mobilizing in the Philippines as part of unprecedented joint military exercises that are bound to further strain tensions with Beijing over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The annual “Balikatan” exercises, named after the Filipino word for “shoulder to shoulder,” will be jointly led by the U.S. and the Philippines, and also feature naval forces from France and Australia.

  • Get a daily email packed with the latest news and analysis from Africa, Asia, and across the Global South.
  • Read exclusive insights on the key trends shaping China’s relations across the Global South.
  • Full access to the News Feed that provides daily updates on Chinese engagement in the Global South.

China, Africa and the Global South... find out what’s happening.

Subscribe today for unlimited access.

OR

Already a subscriber? Log in Click Here to Learn More
by Eric Olander

Most Read

1
Developing Countries’ Debt Servicing Costs to China Are Significant, but Nowhere Near as Much as Other Creditors
2
Uncertainty Roils Minerals Markets
3 Chinese Scholars See Russia’s Venezuela Strategy as a Model of Hybrid Power Projection in the U.S.’ Backyard
4 From J-10C to Kaan? Indonesia’s Fighter Jet Deal With Turkey Shocks Chinese Military Fans
5 Chinese Military Fans Discuss Why Indonesia Bought Rafale Instead of J-10C
6
Indonesia Goes Nuclear, Taps China and Russia for Modular Reactors

You Might Like

Massive Show of Force in the South China Sea as Rivals Conduct Naval Drills

Warships from the U.S., Japan, and Australia joined the Philippine Navy on Sunday for maritime exercises intended to facilitate improved naval cooperation among the four countries and to send a clear message to China. ...

China, U.S. Compete in Military Cooperation With South China Sea Countries As Tension Simmers

This week it was confirmed that the U.S. and Japan will conduct joint exercises in the South China Sea with the Philippines. This comes as duels between Chinese vessels and counterparts from around the ...

New Philippine Military Head Signals China Focus

The Philippine government announced that its new military chief will be Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., the former head of its army. Brawner’s appointment seems to strengthen the Marcos administration’s hardening towards China in ...

Tensions Flare in South China Sea Following China’s Use of Water Cannon Against Unarmed Philippine Navy Supply Boat

The Philippine military condemned the Chinese Coast Guard’s use of a water cannon against a much smaller unarmed supply boat that took place in disputed waters in the South China Sea on Saturday. ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.

More about CGSP
IP: Detecting...
Cookie Exists: Checking...
Cookie Value: Checking...