US, Philippine Troops Kick Off Drills as China Tensions Mount

News Snapshot:

(Bloomberg) -- US and Philippine troops will sail beyond the Southeast Asian nation’s territorial waters for the first time since the joint annual drills started three decades ago, risking further maritime tensions with Beijing. The joint exercises will be held in multiple Philippine locations near the disputed South China Sea and Taiwan despite China’s warning that “tensions could get worse" with the activities set to run from April 22 to May 10. Over 16,700 personnel are expected to take part in the training called “Balikatan," a Filipino word that means “shoulder to shoulder." Australian and French troops will also take...