U.S.-Philippines security relations

This year's exercise, the 39th iteration since 1991, will be the first to take place outside the Philippines territorial waters.

The Biden administration is hoping to elevate economic relations with Manila to keep step with the recent enhancement of security ties.

The long-expected announcement comes at a time of growing tension in contested parts of the South China Sea.

The meeting punctuates a period of swift advancement in the security alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo said yesterday that six projects are slated for completion by the end of the year.

The 2+2 meeting of defense and foreign ministers coincided with the opening of the largest-ever iteration of the annual Balikatan military exercise.

This is the first such meeting to take place since late in the administration of President Benigno Aquino III.

The U.S. military will be granted access to three additional military facilities in the northern Philippines, and one on the island of Palawan in the South China Sea.

Chinese officials took the opportunity to voice their opposition to a recent expansion of the U.S. military presence in the Philippine archipelago.

The rapid warming of relations with the U.S. has prompted warnings from Beijing, and domestic political pushback.

The upgrade at Manila's Basa Air Base is part of $82 million in U.S.-funded infrastructure upgrades at military bases included under a 2014 defense pact.