Beijing: China has carried out new naval and air patrols around a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, raising tensions in a region already marked by frequent standoffs.
The operations were announced by the China Southern Theatre Command, which said the patrols were aimed at strengthening combat readiness and responding to what it called repeated provocations by other countries in the area.
The patrols were conducted near the Scarborough Shoal, a small but strategic feature also claimed by the Philippines. The shoal lies within the Philippinesâ exclusive economic zone under international law, but China maintains that it has historical rights over the area.
Chinese officials said their forces carried out coordinated operations involving both naval ships and aircraft. They did not give details on the number of vessels or planes involved but stressed that the mission was routine and lawful.
The move comes days after the Philippines and the United States held joint maritime patrols in nearby waters as part of their expanding security cooperation. These patrols are meant to show support for freedom of navigation and respect for international law.
So far, Manila has not issued an official response to Chinaâs latest patrols. In recent months, however, Philippine authorities have repeatedly protested what they describe as aggressive actions by Chinese vessels, including close encounters with fishing boats and coast guard ships.
The South China Sea is one of the worldâs busiest sea routes and is believed to hold rich fishing grounds and energy resources. Several countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia, have overlapping claims in the area, while China claims most of the sea through a broad map line that has been rejected by an international tribunal.
Analysts say the latest patrols reflect a pattern of rising military activity by China as it seeks to assert control over disputed waters, while the Philippines leans more on its alliance with the United States for support.
With both sides continuing to show their presence at sea, the risk of further confrontations in the region remains high.