Drills between US and Asean nations kick off, will extend into South China Sea

Eight warships, four aircraft and more than 1,000 personnel from the US and 10 Southeast Asian countries will join maritime drills kicking off on Monday, as part of a joint exercise extending into the flashpoint South China Sea.The first Asean-US Maritime Exercise (AUMX) between the regional bloc and Washington lasts for five days, starting at the Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand and ending in Singapore.The drills coincide with stepped-up US engagement in the region and tensions between Beijing…