China alarmed as US and Philippines hold largest-ever joint military drills.

China has warned that the strengthening of ties between the US and the Philippines should not harm its security and territorial interests, including the South China Sea. The warning comes as the US and the Philippines stage their largest-ever military drills, involving 17,000 troops. China did not specify how it would respond if it concludes that the US-Philippine security cooperation was hurting Beijing's core interests. The drills come after China took retaliatory action following the meeting of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.