Japan Joins PH-US Balikatan Drills, China MoD: Stop Camp Confrontation
Japan's Self-Defense Forces officially participated in the Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise for the first time, firing anti-ship missiles. In response, China's Ministry of National Defense urged the Philippines and Japan to "stop forming cliques and engaging in camp confrontation," expressing concern over the strengthening defense cooperation between the two countries.
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- 📰 Published: May 9, 2026 at 17:31
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Liao Wen-chi, Shanghai 9th) Japan's Self-Defense Forces recently participated in the Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise and fired anti-ship missiles. The defense ministers of the Philippines and Japan also issued a joint statement to strengthen defense cooperation. In response, China's Ministry of National Defense today urged the Philippines and Japan to "stop forming cliques and engaging in camp confrontation."
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Manila on the 5th. The two sides signed a statement on defense equipment and technology cooperation and agreed to promote Japan's transfer of defense equipment to the Philippines, including Abukuma-class frigates.
The Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise held a maritime strike exercise on the 6th. The Japan Self-Defense Forces, formally participating for the first time, fired Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles to sink a target ship.
China's Ministry of National Defense today released information on recent military-related issues. A reporter asked: The Japanese Defense Minister and the Philippine Defense Secretary issued a joint statement saying, "We oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea by force or coercion," and expressed serious concern about China's dangerous coercion around Japan and the Philippines. The two sides will also strengthen defense cooperation in areas such as equipment technology and information sharing. What is your comment on this?
China's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin said, "Some politicians in Japan and the Philippines are hyping up false narratives on maritime issues and wantonly smearing China. We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this."
He claimed that Japan sent troops to participate in the joint exercise and for the first time fired offensive missiles overseas, deliberately breaking through the principle of "exclusive defense." "The Philippines is trying to draw in external forces to support its infringing acts and wants to turn the tables on China, which is a complete miscalculation."
Jiang Bin also said that the Chinese military's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unshakeable. "We urge relevant countries to stop forming cliques and engaging in camp confrontation, and to do more things that are truly conducive to regional peace and stability."
This year's Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise began on April 20 and lasted until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada, other countries such as Australia, France, and New Zealand also participated, mobilizing more than 17,000 soldiers. The exercise covered the South China Sea and the northern Philippines near Taiwan.
In response, the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army recently organized its naval fleet 107 to conduct exercises in the waters east of Luzon Island in the Philippines, during which live fire drills were conducted. It claimed that this was "a necessary action taken in response to the current regional situation"; on April 30, it again conducted combat readiness patrols in the air and sea areas of Democracy Reef (which China calls "Huangyan Island") in the South China Sea, claiming to "effectively and powerfully respond to various infringing and provocative acts."
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(Central News Agency reporter Liao Wen-chi, Shanghai 9th) Japan's Self-Defense Forces recently participated in the Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise and fired anti-ship missiles. The defense ministers of the Philippines and Japan also issued a joint statement to strengthen defense cooperation. In response, China's Ministry of National Defense today urged the Philippines and Japan to "stop forming cliques and engaging in camp confrontation."
Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro held talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Manila on the 5th. The two sides signed a statement on defense equipment and technology cooperation and agreed to promote Japan's transfer of defense equipment to the Philippines, including Abukuma-class frigates.
The Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise held a maritime strike exercise on the 6th. The Japan Self-Defense Forces, formally participating for the first time, fired Type 88 shore-to-ship anti-ship missiles to sink a target ship.
China's Ministry of National Defense today released information on recent military-related issues. A reporter asked: The Japanese Defense Minister and the Philippine Defense Secretary issued a joint statement saying, "We oppose any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the East China Sea and South China Sea by force or coercion," and expressed serious concern about China's dangerous coercion around Japan and the Philippines. The two sides will also strengthen defense cooperation in areas such as equipment technology and information sharing. What is your comment on this?
China's Ministry of National Defense spokesperson Jiang Bin said, "Some politicians in Japan and the Philippines are hyping up false narratives on maritime issues and wantonly smearing China. We express our strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this."
He claimed that Japan sent troops to participate in the joint exercise and for the first time fired offensive missiles overseas, deliberately breaking through the principle of "exclusive defense." "The Philippines is trying to draw in external forces to support its infringing acts and wants to turn the tables on China, which is a complete miscalculation."
Jiang Bin also said that the Chinese military's determination to safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests is unshakeable. "We urge relevant countries to stop forming cliques and engaging in camp confrontation, and to do more things that are truly conducive to regional peace and stability."
This year's Philippines-U.S. "Balikatan" joint military exercise began on April 20 and lasted until May 8. In addition to the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Canada, other countries such as Australia, France, and New Zealand also participated, mobilizing more than 17,000 soldiers. The exercise covered the South China Sea and the northern Philippines near Taiwan.
In response, the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army recently organized its naval fleet 107 to conduct exercises in the waters east of Luzon Island in the Philippines, during which live fire drills were conducted. It claimed that this was "a necessary action taken in response to the current regional situation"; on April 30, it again conducted combat readiness patrols in the air and sea areas of Democracy Reef (which China calls "Huangyan Island") in the South China Sea, claiming to "effectively and powerfully respond to various infringing and provocative acts."
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used publicly without authorization.