The United States and the Philippines, the most important annual military exercise, was launched on April 21. This military exercise will last until May 9 under the so-called "defending the Philippines". It is reported that Australia, Japan and other countries will also participate in or observe the military exercise.

  What's special about this military exercise?

  Data picture: Unmanned shore missile launcher equipped with the US "Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Intercept System"

  Military observer Teng Jianqun believes that compared with the past, this year's military exercises have the characteristics of many participating countries, long duration, directivity and strong targetedness. More particularly, in order to cooperate with the US-Philippines "shoulder-side" military exercises, the US military has secretly transported the "Marine Corps Expeditionary Ship Intercept System" (NMESIS) to the Philippines. This is the second time that the US military has deployed a new missile system in the Philippines after the deployment of the "Tifeng" medium-range missile system in April 2024, which fully reflects the Trump administration's hegemonic intention to "form cliques" in the region to promote the "Pacific Deterrence Program".

  Teng Jianqun: The biggest feature of this military exercise is that the United States and the Philippines and many countries have joined forces to disrupt the situation in the so-called "Indo-Pacific region" to demonstrate the United States' regional control capabilities.

  In the "Pacific Deterrence Plan" proposed by the United States many years ago, an important point is to establish a missile system with both offense and defense on the so-called "first island chain". Previously, the United States deployed the Patriot air defense missile system and the "Tifeng" medium-range missile system to the Philippines. Now the United States has deployed the "Marine Expeditionary Ship Intercept System" in the Philippines, which will further strengthen the US's military deployment in the region, which is also an important part of the United States' "Pacific Deterrence Program".

  Can the United States hold up a "protective umbrella" for the Philippines?

  File photo: In 2024, Philippine soldiers operate independent vehicle-mounted systems in the United States and the Philippines "shoulder-to-shoulder" joint military exercise

  When U.S. Defense Secretary Hegsey said he would provide more military support to the Philippines when he arrived in the Philippines last month, and also reiterated the United States' commitment to the Philippines' "strong as steel". But in Teng Jianqun's view, the United States and the Philippines have their own plans, and the United States' security commitment to the Philippines is hard to trust.

  Teng Jianqun: The United States seeks to strengthen its dominance in the Western Pacific region, so it intends to create tensions and constantly encourages the Philippines to provoke in the South China Sea.

  At the same time, the Philippines also chose to defect to the United States, believing that as long as you hold on to the United States' "thighs" tightly, you can "live in peace."

  However, it is undoubtedly a dangerous gamble for the Philippines to hand over their lives to the United States. Because from the reality, the United States cannot provide real security guarantees for the Philippines.

  The United States wants to make profits while taking advantage of the chaos?

  File photo: In 2023, Philippine President Marcos boarded the "Haimas" rocket launcher system launch vehicle in the United States and the Philippines "shoulder side by side" joint military exercise

  The "shoulder-to-shoulder" joint military exercise initiated by the United States and the Philippines in 1991 has long been regarded as a bilateral conventional military exercise, but with the advancement of the so-called "Indo-Pacific Strategy", the nature of the military exercise has quietly changed. Teng Jianqun believes that the United States and the Philippines are trying their best to win over other allies and partners to participate in military exercises, in order to intensify tensions in the Western Pacific region. The United States attempts to seize profits, but as long as ASEAN countries remain sober, the United States' plans will be difficult to achieve.

  Teng Jianqun: Political suppression, diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and military threats against major powers are all important aspects of the so-called "big power competition" proposed by the United States. But these are not achieved by the United States through its own deployment of troops. Therefore, the United States has always attempted to create camp confrontation in the Western Pacific region, and its fundamental purpose is to safeguard its own interests.

  However, for the sake of its own development and regional peace and stability, ASEAN countries will remain sober and will not be controlled by the United States, nor will they let the "shoulder-to-shoulder" military exercise evolve into a confrontation between regions or groups.

[Editor in charge: Wang Jinzhi]