China Drills Near Scarborough Shoal as US, Philippines Hold Balikatan Exercises
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 21
China Drills Near Scarborough Shoal as US, Philippines Hold Balikatan Exercises
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 21
Summary
Chinese forces have carried out military drills this month near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area also claimed by the Philippines, as U.S.-Philippine Balikatan exercises unfolded nearby.
The parallel maneuvers reflect two linked flashpoints: Beijing claims nearly all of the South China Sea and Taiwan, while Washington backs Manila and remains Taiwan’s main arms supplier.
2016 arbitration invalidated China’s sweeping South China Sea claims, but confrontations have kept rising, with Chinese vessels accused of using water cannons, lasers and dangerous blocking against Philippine forces and fishermen.
Nearly 1 million ASEAN citizens could need evacuation in a Taiwan conflict, analysts say, and any fighting across the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait could disrupt one of the world’s most important trade corridors.
U.S. deterrence in the western Pacific is also under strain after the USS George Washington left the region, temporarily leaving no U.S. aircraft carrier there amid tensions with China.