China and the US are increasing military readiness in the Asia-Pacific region a lot of exercises

The intensifying competition between China and the United States has prompted the two countries to increase military readiness in the Asia-Pacific region, observers say.

While the US has conducted more drills with its Asian allies and intensified security ties – aimed in part at deterring North Korea but also sending a warning to China – the mainland has completed drills with Russia and drills around Taiwan.
The US and South Korea conducted a joint air force exercise on December 20 in response to North Korea's missile launch. The drills cover Washington's strategic assets, such as F-22 stealth fighters and B-52 bombers, for the first time in four years.

In a joint statement issued in November, the US and South Korean defense ministers agreed to use more US strategic assets on the Korean peninsula to provide "extended deterrence" against North Korea's nuclear threat.
Seoul announced plans to expand joint exercises next year, including the first large-scale combined direct-fire drills in six years.
Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow and Chair of the SK-Korea Foundation's Korea Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, said that if North Korea continues to develop nuclear weapons, the US and its allies will continue to step up their military response to Pyongyang.

"It seems we are still in the phase of military tension escalation, which means that larger joint exercises are still being carried out," he said. "Even though South Korea and the US have offered dialogue and assistance and economic incentives, this will be difficult for North Korea to accept."

The US has also increased military cooperation with other Asian allies. In September, Washington approved a US$1.1 billion weapons package, including anti-ship and anti-air missile and radar systems, for Taiwan.

The National Defense Authorization Act signed by US President Joe Biden last month sets out the US military budget for next year, including support for US$10 billion worth of security assistance to the self-ruled island over the next five years.
President Xi Jinping told the Communist Party's national congress in October that Beijing would do its best to achieve peaceful reunification with Taiwan, but would not rule out using force to bring the island under its control. Most countries, including the US, do not recognize Taiwan as an independent nation. Washington, however, opposes any attempt to take the island by force.

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