BEIJING
The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said it carried out naval and air combat readiness patrols near the Scarborough Shoal on Thursday, amid large-scale military exercises involving the United States, the Philippines, and allied forces.
According to the Chinese military, the patrols were conducted in response to annual regional drills taking place from April 20 to May 8. The exercises, known as “Balikatan,” involve forces from multiple countries, including Australia and New Zealand, and are designed to improve interoperability, coastal defence capabilities, and coordinated response to security threats.
The Southern Theater Command said its operations were intended as a countermeasure to what it described as “provocative acts” and “rights-violation activities” in the region. It added that the patrols serve to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maintain stability in the South China Sea.
The Scarborough Shoal, referred to by China as Huangyan Island, remains a major point of dispute between Beijing and Manila. Both countries claim sovereignty over the area, which is also a traditional fishing ground and a strategically important maritime zone.
Tensions in the region have periodically escalated due to overlapping patrols by coast guards and naval forces, as well as competing territorial claims. China has expanded its maritime presence in recent years, while the Philippines has strengthened defence cooperation with the United States and other partners.
No immediate response was provided by the Philippine embassy in Beijing. The situation continues to reflect broader geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific region and ongoing disputes over maritime boundaries and sovereignty.
