Military exercise with more than 17,000 personnel from the USA and the Philippines

The US and the Philippines also began the largest joint exercise ever around the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait after China completed its large-scale military exercise around Taiwan. In the statement made by the Philippines and the United States, it was stated that the annual "Balikatan" exercise showed their commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During the two-week exercise, 17,600 soldiers, of which 12,200 will be US soldiers, will take part. US warships, fighter jets, HIMARS multiple rocket launcher systems and Javelin anti-tank missile systems will be used in the exercise, in which neighboring countries such as Australia will also participate. U.S. and Philippine troops will also conduct drills to shoot down a warship in the South China Sea.

While the exercise is expected to draw the reaction of China, it was stated in the previous statements by the officials of both countries that the exercises should not be understood as a response to the developments in Taiwan.

In the statement made by the Chinese army yesterday, it was stated that the 3-day exercise around Taiwan, after Taiwan leader Tsai Ing-wen's visits to Central America and the USA, ended.

(Ihlas News Agency)