According to The Wall Street Journal, the United States and the Philippines are holding the annual Balikatan military drills, where scenarios for a possible conflict with China are being practiced.

This year, Japanese ground units are taking part in the maneuvers for the first time. Troops from Canada, New Zealand and France have also joined the exercises.

Organizers said the drills are not aimed at any specific country. At the same time, they noted that the missiles, drone systems, counter-UAV equipment and strategic islands involved in Balikatan would be critical in any conflict with Beijing.

The newspaper also reported that air defense exercises involving Japanese forces were held on the Philippine island of Luzon. In the event of a conflict over Taiwan, the island could become an important staging ground.

China condemned the drills, calling them a baseless provocation. Beijing believes the activity of external forces could deepen divisions and intensify confrontation in the region.

On April 10, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Zheng Liwen, head of Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang. During the talks, the sides said the Taiwan Strait should no longer remain a potential flashpoint in the future.