China conducts live-fire drills near Luzon

China said on April 24 that its military recently carried out live-fire exercises in waters east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island. (mod.gov.cn) (usnews.com) The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said Naval Task Group 107 practiced live fire, air-sea coordination, rapid maneuvering and underway replenishment. Beijing called the operation “necessary” and said it complied with international law and practice. (mod.gov.cn) (news.cgtn.com) The announcement landed as Balikatan 41-2026, the annual U.S.-Philippines exercise, is running from April 20 to May 8 across the archipelago. Philippine officials said more than 17,000 troops from seven countries are taking part. (pna.gov.ph) (afp.mil.ph) Balikatan this year includes forces from the Philippines, the United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand. Philippine and U.S. military statements described it as the most expansive iteration of the exercise to date. (pna.gov.ph) (pacom.mil) Japan’s role is larger than last year’s observer status. Philippine officials said Japanese forces would actively join the counter-landing live-fire exercise and fire a Type 88 ground-to-surface missile at a target ship. (pna.gov.ph) The waters east of Luzon sit near the Luzon Strait, a narrow passage between the Philippines and Taiwan that links the Philippine Sea and the South China Sea. Military activity there carries weight beyond the immediate drill area because it is a key route for ships and aircraft. (apnews.com) (thediplomat.com) At the same time, Luzon is dealing with a separate pressure point on land. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised an El Niño Alert on April 22 after saying there is a 79% chance El Niño will develop in June to August and may last into early 2027. (rappler.com) (newsinfo.inquirer.net) PAGASA said 15 Luzon provinces were already in drought as of April 19, while 22 more provinces in Luzon were under dry spell conditions. The list included Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan and Tarlac. (mb.com.ph) For Manila, that leaves two parallel tests in late April: a widening alliance exercise at sea and worsening water stress onshore. China says its patrols will continue as needed, while Philippine agencies are already warning communities to prepare for a hotter, drier season. (mod.gov.cn) (rappler.com)