China’s military said on Friday that it carried out a routine patrol in the South China Sea from February 23 to 26, while accusing the Philippines of undermining regional peace and stability by organizing joint patrols with countries outside the region.
In a statement, spokesperson Zhai Shichen of the Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command said the force would “resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.”
The remarks come after the armed forces of the Philippines announced that its navy conducted joint exercises this week in the South China Sea with the United States and Japan. According to Manila, the drills were aimed at strengthening cooperation among the three military allies amid rising tensions in the disputed waters.
The South China Sea remains a major flashpoint in Asia, with overlapping territorial claims and increasing military activity involving regional states and global powers.