Philippines-US war games begin amid China tensions
Disputed territory
The games are happening at a time when tensions are already high between China and the Philippines over disputed territorial rights in the South China Sea.
Just last week, the Philippines' biggest warship was involved in a standoff with two Chinese surveillance vessels in the Scarborough Shoal, an area claimed by both Beijing and Manila.
The Philippine navy had been trying to arrest a group of Chinese fisherman, but the surveillance boats prevented them.
And earlier this month, Luo Yuan, a hawkish Chinese general, wrote in the state-run Global Times newspaper that the Philippines was facing its "last chance" to resolve its sovereignty issues.
"The biggest miscalculation of the Philippines is that it has misestimated the strength and willpower of China to defends its territorial integrity," he wrote.
Then there is the US factor. Beijing believes the South China Sea issue is only a regional concern and therefore Washington should not get involved.
But since last year, the US has been doing the exact opposite - refocusing its military attention on Asia and strengthening ties with the Philippines, negotiating an increase in troop numbers and more frequent joint exercises.
So given all this, the presence of thousands of US and Philippine troops holding exercises in Palawan, not far from the Spratly Islands - one of the main disputed areas - is hardly likely to be welcomed in Beijing.
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