12,000 soldiers involved in the US-Philippines drill
1.2万名士兵袭击美国菲律宾军演

Balikatan exercises, the annual US-Philippines joint military exercise starts today. Nearly 12 thousand soldiers from both sides will be involved in the 10-day drill in Philippines, double last year's number. 61 soldiers from Australia will also join the drill.

On Tuesday, marines will conduct beach landing exercises from a naval base just 220 kilometres from China's Huangyan Island. Aside from the naval base, live fire and disaster response drills will also be held in various military camps outside Manila.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino said in an interview that the wargames were not directed at China, pointing out they were annual exercises.