Chinese military officials announced Thursday that their naval and air units carried out combat readiness operations near Scarborough Shoal and adjacent waters in the contested South China Sea region.
According to a statement from China’s Southern Theater Command, the military exercises were designed to counter what they described as territorial violations and provocative behavior in the area. “Such patrols serve as an effective countermeasure to cope with all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts. They are meant to resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the military command stated.
Philippine diplomatic representatives in Beijing have not yet provided a response when contacted for comment regarding the Chinese military activities.
