Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Palestinian media: Israeli occupation forces storm the Old City in the center of Nablus, occupied West Bank
Local sources to Al Mayadeen: Sudanese army forces drones strike town of Kabkabiya, North Darfur.
Syrian Observatory: The plane is loaded with air defense systems and heavy weapons as part of US troop reinforcements to its bases in northeastern Syria
Syrian Observatory: US cargo plane lands with two military helicopters at Kharab al-Jir base in the countryside of Rmeilan, north of Hasakah
Miguel Díaz-Canel to Gustavo Petro: US seeks to reimpose the Monroe Doctrine in its relations with sovereign states in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, the military wing of the PFLP, says they handed over the body of an Israeli captive to the Israeli occupation forces in implementation of the clauses of the ceasefire agreement.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia

China proposes joint military drills with the Philippines

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 Jul 2023 14:55
4 Min Read

The Philippine military chief announces that if they were to be conducted, the drills would not be in the South China Sea where the two countries have clashing territorial claims.

  • x
  • The national flags of the Philippines and China are seen together near the Tiananmen Gate as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr visits, in Beijing on Jan 3, 2023 (AFP)
    The national flags of the Philippines and China are seen together near the Tiananmen Gate as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr visits, Beijing on Jan 3, 2023 (AFP)

Amid heightened tensions over disputed waters, China has extended an offer to conduct joint military drills with the Philippines, according to the Philippine armed forces chief.

The proposal was delivered informally by Beijing's ambassador to Manila and will be thoroughly considered by Philippine military chief Romeo Brawner, who revealed the proposition late on Wednesday. However, Brawner clarified that if the joint exercises proceed, they will not take place in the contested South China Sea.

"We are opening up to any country who would like to help us," Brawner expressed to reporters in Manila. He emphasized that the Philippines is open to assistance from more modern countries in its efforts to counter insurgency. While discussing the potential for defense cooperation with China, Brawner underscored the country's willingness to collaborate with any nation that can aid its security objectives.

This move by China comes at a time when the Philippines is strengthening its longstanding defense alliance with the United States. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration has recently expanded American troops' access to Philippine military sites and hosted large-scale military exercises with the US earlier this year. As these defense ties with Washington deepen, China's offer for joint military drills presents an intriguing development in the region's geopolitical landscape.

The Philippines has long been vocal about its land dispute grievances with China, which has had severe implications for Filipino fishermen, as per the former.

In a recent incident, the Philippines claimed the presence of dozens of Chinese fishing vessels near an oil and gas-rich area within contested waters, which exacerbated tensions between the two countries and heightened concerns over maritime security in the region.

Read more: China warns Philippine-US base deal 'endangering regional peace'

Related News

US condemns China over alleged ramming of ship in disputed waters

China blames Philippines for South China Sea collision

Earlier in June, the Chinese Defense Ministry said Japan and the Philippines must refrain from making claims and carrying out actions that threaten China's territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests while aggravating the regional situation.

"China is a staunch defender and builder of international rule of law at sea. China has been committed to properly resolving disputes through negotiation and consultation. We urge relevant countries to stop harming China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and stop saying or doing anything that would further complicate the situation," The Defense Ministry spokesperson said in a briefing.

The spokesperson emphasized that "at present, the situation in the East China Sea and South China Sea is generally stable, but a certain country out of the region, for its selfish interests, has been busy muddying the waters through military provocation and bloc confrontation, which has exacerbated regional tensions."

In May, during a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, the two discussed the necessity of countering Beijing in the South China Sea. 

As China has been discussing the sovereignty of the South China Sea more openly and confidently, the US and its Asian allies have remained on high alert amid pre-existing tensions over Taiwan, further exacerbated by joint military exercises. 

Back in April the US and the Philippines conducted their largest-ever military training after troops conducted a joint fire drill in the contested waters of the South China Sea. Groups of the two armies blasted a supposed enemy warship placed in disputed waters North of Manila.

Marcos indicated and emphasized that he "will not allow the Philippines to be used as a staging post for any kind of military action."

Read more: Philippines President says Manila will not turn into 'staging post'

  • South China Sea
  • China
  • Philippines
  • military drills

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS