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Philippines warns China could exploit cuts to US-South Korea drills

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro warned that China could exploit the recent reduction in US-South Korea military exercises to reassert itself in the Asia-Pacific.
  • Teodoro said the United States had given Manila “definite assurances” that its commitments to the Philippines remained unchanged.
  • The US and South Korea shortened their annual drills, while the United States, South Korea, and Japan prepared to hold separate trilateral exercises near South Korea’s Jeju Island.

The Philippines has warned that China may seize on reduced US-South Korea military exercises to expand its influence in the Asia-Pacific. Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said Beijing is quick to exploit openings created by changes in regional security arrangements.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Seoul Defense Dialogue, Teodoro said, “China is very quick to exploit gaps.” He also said Washington had given Manila “definite assurances” that US commitments to the Philippines remained unchanged. Teodoro accused China of using democratic systems to spread what he called “distortive narratives.”

China is very quick to exploit gaps.

· Gilberto TeodoroThe Philippine defense secretary warned that Beijing could use the reduced US-South Korea drills as an opportunity.

South Korea and the United States shortened their annual joint drills last month and reduced field training after US President Donald Trump ordered a “substantial reduction” in the war games. The US-led Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise ended six days earlier than planned.

Trump cited his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and linked the decision to South Korea’s refusal to join the US and Israel’s war on Iran at the time. Trump said he planned to meet Kim later this year, but Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong, said there was no ongoing communication between the US president and her brother. She maintained that Washington continued to pursue a “hostile” policy toward North Korea.

definite assurances

· Gilberto TeodoroTeodoro said Washington had given Manila firm assurances that US commitments to the Philippines remained unchanged.

South Korea’s presidential office has also said it was considering contributions to US freedom-of-navigation operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while stressing that no decision had been made. Any South Korean military deployment would require approval through the National Security Council, the Cabinet, and the National Assembly.

Meanwhile, the United States, South Korea, and Japan were due to begin five days of military exercises in waters east and south of South Korea’s Jeju Island. Seoul described the Freedom Edge exercise as defensive and intended to address North Korean nuclear and missile threats and promote regional security cooperation.

distortive narratives

· Gilberto TeodoroTeodoro accused China of using democratic systems to spread misleading narratives.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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