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April 11, 2023

U.S. and Philippines Launch Largest-Ever Joint War Games in South China Sea
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The United States and the Philippines have opened annual war games in
what the Pentagon is calling the largest military exercise of its kind
in the South China Sea. Nearly 18,000 troops have joined the drills,
which will feature live-fire exercises. Australia's armed forces are
also taking part. The war games opened just after China concluded three
days of military drills around Taiwan. Earlier today, protesters
gathered outside the Philippines military headquarters as the drills got
underway. This is Philippines opposition leader Renato Reyes.

Renato Reyes: "Clearly, the war games are intended to project U.S. power
in Asia. It's not intended to defend the Philippines. It's not intended
to help the Philippines modernize. It's really intended to showcase U.S.
power. And it is a preparation for war."



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