China's military conducted live-fire exercises in waters east of the Philippines' Luzon Island, as stated on Friday. The drills coincide with the annual Balikatan exercises hosted by Manila and Washington, extending into disputed South China Sea areas. Japan is joining with combat troops for the first time amid strains with Beijing.
China's Southern Theater Command announced on Friday that its Naval Task Group 107 conducted live-fire shooting, sea-air coordination, rapid maneuvers, and maritime replenishments to test integrated joint combat capabilities. The military did not disclose further details on the timing or exact location of the drills in waters east of Luzon.
In a statement, the command described the exercises as a "necessary operation" in response to the current regional situation, fully compliant with international law. "Forces of the STC will regularly conduct corresponding military operations based on the need of the security situation to safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability," it added.
The Balikatan exercises, running from April 20 to May 8, involve over 17,000 troops from the US, Philippines, and allies, with Japanese combat troops participating for the first time. They include drills in Luzon, maritime strike exercises on Itbayat island—155 km from Taiwan—and counter-landing live-fire drills in Zambales province, 230 km from the Chinese-controlled Scarborough Shoal.
China has criticized the Philippines' defense exercises with allies for risking regional tensions. The two nations have faced repeated maritime confrontations in the South China Sea, through which over $3 trillion in annual commerce passes. At a cabinet meeting on Friday, Premier Li Qiang urged efforts to strengthen maritime capabilities and protect rights.