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Bangkok Post
Bangkok Post
World

Philippines, US kick off largest-ever joint military drills

United States Philippines Manila China Taiwan
Philippine and US troops participate in a squad live fire exercise during the three-week joint military drills "Salaknib" at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, the Philippines, on March 31, 2023. (Photo: Reuters)

The Philippines and the United States launched their largest-ever joint military exercises on Tuesday, as the longstanding allies seek to counter growing Chinese 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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