A large-scale annual U.S.-Philippines military exercise known as Balikatan expands to its biggest level yet this year, heightening concerns in China and among regional observers. The drill, which runs from April 20 to May 8, is led by the Philippines with participation from the United States and includes Canada, France, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. According to a report cited by multiple outlets, the exercise reaches record highs in overall scale, the number of countries and personnel involved, and the complexity of training.
Reporting says the 2024 Balikatan deploys about 17,000 personnel for training along the Philippines’ western sea lanes, from the South China Sea toward the northern island of Itbayat, which is described as about 155 km from Taiwan’s main island. Both the Philippines and the U.S. frame such drills as preparation and interoperability, while Chinese experts warn that the regular exercise—amid ongoing incidents and disputes in the South China Sea—can worsen regional instability. They also point to broader Indo-Pacific tensions, including China’s strained relations with other participating partners such as Japan.
