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         US, Philippines Launch Military Exercise Near Spratly Islands

   by VOA News

   The Philippines and the United States have launched an annual military
   exercise in the South China Sea, near waters where China is engaged in
   bitter territorial disputes with its neighbors.

   Around 5,000 sailors and Marines from both countries began 11-days of
   maritime maneuvers on Monday. The Philippine Bilateral Exercises, or
   "Phiblex" is designed to test the readiness of the two allies to
   respond to emergencies of any kind.

   The two countries will practice boat raids, beach landings, live fire
   exercises and armored maneuvers near the Spratly islands and
   Scarborough Shoal, where China has been involved in a string of tense
   confrontations with rival claimants.

   Portions of the resource-rich Spratlys are also claimed by Malaysia,
   Taiwan and Vietnam.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/us-philippines-launch-military-exerci
   se-near-spratly-islands/2465762.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/us-philippines-launch-military-exercise-near-spratly-islands/2465762.html