US-Philippines Joint Military Exercise Begins; Beijing: Bilateral Military Cooperation Should Not Target Third Parties
The United States and the Philippines launched their annual large-scale 'Balikatan' joint military exercise today, with Japan's Self-Defense Forces also participating. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that military cooperation between countries should not target third parties or harm their interests.
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- 📰 Published: April 20, 2026 at 17:26
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The United States and the Philippines launched their annual large-scale joint military exercise codenamed 'Balikatan' today, with the participation of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Regarding this, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that military security cooperation between countries should not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties.
According to mainland Chinese media outlet The Paper, a reporter asked at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regular press conference this afternoon about Japan's Self-Defense Forces participating in the US-Philippines annual joint military exercise. 'This exercise takes place at a time of tension in Sino-Philippine and Sino-Japanese relations. What is China's position on this US-Philippines military exercise?'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia Kun responded that unilateralism and military bullying have brought severe disasters to the world. The Asia-Pacific region needs peace and tranquility most and least needs the introduction of external forces to create division and confrontation.
Guo Jia Kun emphasized that military security cooperation between countries should not harm mutual understanding and trust among countries in the region, should not undermine regional peace and stability, and should not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties. 'We want to remind the relevant countries that blindly tying themselves together in terms of security will only lead to self-immolation and backfire.'
The US and the Philippines launched their annual large-scale joint military exercise codenamed 'Balikatan' on the 20th. Both sides stated that multiple advanced missile systems will be showcased during the exercise, and emphasized that the exercise is not aimed at any country.
Filipino commander of 'Balikatan', Francisco Lorenzo Jr., stated at a press conference after the opening ceremony that the exercise location covers the northern part of Luzon Island but is not 'near Taiwan.' According to information provided by the Philippine military, this year's exercise locations extend northward to the Batanes Islands, facing Taiwan across the sea, attracting external attention amid continued regional tensions.
This year's exercise involves direct participation from 7 countries including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand, with over 17,000 personnel. It is scheduled to conclude in the first week of May. (Editors: Zhou Hui-ying/Qiu Guo-qiang) 1150420
According to mainland Chinese media outlet The Paper, a reporter asked at the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs regular press conference this afternoon about Japan's Self-Defense Forces participating in the US-Philippines annual joint military exercise. 'This exercise takes place at a time of tension in Sino-Philippine and Sino-Japanese relations. What is China's position on this US-Philippines military exercise?'
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jia Kun responded that unilateralism and military bullying have brought severe disasters to the world. The Asia-Pacific region needs peace and tranquility most and least needs the introduction of external forces to create division and confrontation.
Guo Jia Kun emphasized that military security cooperation between countries should not harm mutual understanding and trust among countries in the region, should not undermine regional peace and stability, and should not target third parties or harm the interests of third parties. 'We want to remind the relevant countries that blindly tying themselves together in terms of security will only lead to self-immolation and backfire.'
The US and the Philippines launched their annual large-scale joint military exercise codenamed 'Balikatan' on the 20th. Both sides stated that multiple advanced missile systems will be showcased during the exercise, and emphasized that the exercise is not aimed at any country.
Filipino commander of 'Balikatan', Francisco Lorenzo Jr., stated at a press conference after the opening ceremony that the exercise location covers the northern part of Luzon Island but is not 'near Taiwan.' According to information provided by the Philippine military, this year's exercise locations extend northward to the Batanes Islands, facing Taiwan across the sea, attracting external attention amid continued regional tensions.
This year's exercise involves direct participation from 7 countries including the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, France, and New Zealand, with over 17,000 personnel. It is scheduled to conclude in the first week of May. (Editors: Zhou Hui-ying/Qiu Guo-qiang) 1150420