Philippines and U.S. troops conducted air drills as part of the annual joint military exercises in the South China Sea.

Footage shows a Philippine Air Force NC2121i plane airdropping cargo onto Patag Island in the disputed Spratly Islands archipelago in the South China Sea on April 27.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said in a statement: 'The exercise aimed to conduct aerial resupply operations in two separate cargo drop scenarios, utilizing a parachute directly onto the island and cargo drop into the sea for retrieval by the stationed personnel.

'This method of aerial resupply is part of the AFP's operational mix options for Commanders on the ground to ensure the well-being and operational effectiveness of its deployed personnel in the West Philippine Sea.'

Philippine and US soldiers also held a freefall exercise, jumping off an aircraft and landing in San Vicente town in Palawan island on April 30.

The drills were part of the 2024 Balikatan Exercises, said to be the biggest iteration yet involving some 16,700 soldiers from both allied nations. It will run from April 22 to May 10, and will be carried out beyond the Philippines' 12-nautical-mile territorial zone.

However, China warned that the move will only worsen tensions in the disputed South China Sea.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: 'Attempts to bring in external forces to safeguard its so-called security will only lead to greater insecurity for itself.'

The Philippines has seen a number of clashes with Chinese vessels in the South China Sea in recent months.

Expansionist China currently lays claim over almost the entire South China Sea, one of the world's busiest sea lanes. But a United Nations-backed tribunal in 2016 deemed its claims groundless.

The Communist rogue state - accused of genocide for its crimes against the Uyghur population - has been steadily increasing its influence in recent years through investment in developing countries.