US and Philippines begin largest-ever joint military drills after China exercises - BBC News<br />The US and the Philippines are holding their largest-ever joint military drills, a day after China concluded large-scale exercises around Taiwan.<br /><br />The drills will involve more than 17,600 troops.<br /><br />Over the weekend, China's military rehearsed blockades around Taiwan in response to the country’s leader meeting with the US House Speaker last week.<br /><br />Plans for the US-Philippines drills predated China’s activities.<br /><br />At least eight Chinese war ships remain in Taiwanese water.<br />
