More than 11,500 American and Filipino military personnel launched one of their largest annual combat exercises on Monday amid growing alarm over massive land reclamation by China in disputed South China Sea territories.
Philippine military officials said the “Balikatan,” or shoulder-to-shoulder, manoeuvres, which involve more than 90 aircraft and ships, were not directed at China. But the venue of some of the war games in waters facing the disputed region and a focus on territorial defence appear to link the exercises to the long-simmering conflict.
