US and Philippines launch biggest joint drills yet in South China Sea

More than 17,000 troops are involved in the Balikatan drills, which follow days of military exercises around Taiwan by China

The United States and the Philippines have launched their largest combat exercises in decades in waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, a move that is likely to inflame Beijing.

The annual drills by the longtime treaty allies called Balikatan – Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder – will run up to 28 April and involve more than 17,600 military personnel. The drills will include live-fire exercises and a boat-sinking rocket assault.