By Han Xudong, Professor of National Defense University

The annual Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) joint military exercises between the Philippines and United States have started in the Philippine capital， Manila on April 4. Compared to previous years, the 2016 military exercises had aroused international concerns.

The Balikatan exercises have developed under the guise of anti-terrorism, however it's centered on "territory defense." Anti-terrorist exercises are temporary and short-term, but "territory defense" marks a deepening of military cooperation.

The U.S. Army will strengthen interference and control of Filipino forces, which means Filipino troops could be colonized again and bound to Washington's chariot to serve its hegemony in the Asian-Pacific region.

As an important part of military exercises, Washington's "Pacific channel" program plays a pivotal role in its "semi-permanent" garrison plan in Asia.

The exercises along with another 29 military exercises in 12 Asian countries are a maneuver for Washington to conduct dynamic military deployment in the Asian-Pacific region in the next few years.

The "semi-permanent" garrison means to carry out dynamic military deployment, such as maneuvers and circuit deployments.

Washington wants to maintain the garrison scale and increase its military presence in the Asian-Pacific through dynamic military deployment and permanent garrisons. The hegemonic position of the US will not diminish. Japan and Australia have also requested to participate.

By virtue of military exercises, Tokyo had dispatched a submarine and destroyer to the South China Sea, embarking on the journey to help its militia go abroad after "New Security Bills" went into effect. Japan is sounding out a response from the international community to determine the militia's steps out of national doors.

If Japan feels small pressure, it will be insatiable and dispatch more forces and weapons abroad to play the militia's role as a "national army" on the international military stage.

For the first time, Canberra sent 80 soldiers to join the Balikatan military exercises to lift its influence in the South China Sea. After the Cold War, Australia had insisted on "breaking away from Europe and joining Asia" by adopting measures to enhance its influence in Asian-Pacific affairs.

Australia's participation would strengthen relations with the US and add tensions to Beijing. The Balikatan exercises have evolved to meet individual purposes of participating states. It deserves global attention to its negative impact on the security situation of the Asian-Pacific region. 

Han Xudong, Professor of National Defense University

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