WASHINGTON - The United States said on April 1 it has approved a sale of US$5.58 billion (S$7.5 billion) in F-16 fighter-jets to the Philippines, as Washington backs its ally in rising tensions over China.

The United States has approved the possible sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to the Philippines valued at $5.58 billion following US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s inaugural tour of the Asian region, which included the Philippines.

The United States has approved the potential sale of 20 F-16 fighter jets to Manila, giving the key US ally in the Indo-Pacific a major upgrade to its air force just days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth vowed to counter “China’s aggression.

The Chinese military announced large-scale drills in the waters around Taiwan on Tuesday as it again warned the self-ruled island against seeking independence. The joint exercises involve navy, air ground and rocket forces and are meant to be a “severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence,

The Philippines has issued a serious warning about its likely involvement in any conflict involving Taiwan. The country’s military has stated that if Taiwan is invaded, the Philippines will “inevitably” be drawn into the crisis.

Taiwan's defence ministry on Thursday detailed a surge in Chinese military activity as Beijing wrapped up a second day of war games overnight Wednesday, saying it had detected 59 warplanes and 23 navy ships operating around the island.

China's military concluded two-day war games around Taiwan in which it held long-range, live-fire drills in the East China Sea, marking an escalation of exercises around the island.

China launched its latest round of war games around Taiwan on Tuesday, saying on Wednesday they were code-named "Strait Thunder-2025" and were a "stern warning" against separatism.

One analyst called China’s large-scale drills a “pre-invasion operation” as it ramps up attacks on Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “parasite.”