The exercise is aimed at boosting Manila’s military capability as a US show of support for its Asian ally amid China’s growing assertiveness.
About 18,000 troops are taking part in the annual exercise, which includes the sinking by live fire of a decommissioned Philippine Navy warship in the South China Sea for the first time, which Beijing claims almost entirely.
It follows a deal announced last week for the US military to use an increased number of bases in the Philippines, including one near Taiwan.
The drills and the growing US access to Philippine bases have angered China.
“Facts speak louder than words. Looking at the locations of the new military bases, the motives behind those sites are more than clear, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters in Beijing on Wednesday.
He warned: “We would like to once again remind the relevant country in the region that appeasing forces outside the region will not lead to greater security, but will create tension, endanger regional peace and stability, and ultimately backfire.” will affect.”