Beijing and Manila are accusing each other of illegal activities near Sandy Cay in the Spratly Isles, escalating regional tensions amid ongoing US-Filipino military exercises. Both nations showcased their flags in a display of sovereignty over the disputed sandbank, coinciding with the start of the annual “Balikatan” military drills, which for the first time will incorporate an integrated air and missile defense simulation. This situation highlights the complex territorial disputes in the South China Sea and the influence of the US in the region.
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