The Chinese military conducted routine patrols over Scarborough Shoal on Tuesday, coinciding with a US-Philippine joint air exercise in the South China Sea, further intensifying regional tensions.
“On February 4, the Air Force of the Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army conducted a routine patrol in the airspace above Huangyan Island,” said PLA spokesperson Senior Colonel Li Jianjian in a statement issued Tuesday.
Colonel Li criticized the joint drills, stating, “The Philippines colluded with extraterritorial countries to organize a so-called joint patrol, deliberately undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea region.”
He emphasized that Chinese air force units remained on high alert, vowing to “resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.” Li added, “Any military activities attempting to disrupt the South China Sea are well under control.”
The air forces of the Philippines and the United States conducted joint patrol exercises over the South China Sea on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force. The operation comes amid heightened vigilance by Manila, which has reported monitoring three Chinese vessels within its maritime zones.
The one-day patrol was carried out in the West Philippine Sea, the term the Philippines uses to refer to areas within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the contested South China Sea. Philippine Air Force spokesperson Maria Consuelo Castillo confirmed the exercise, emphasizing its role in ensuring territorial sovereignty and regional security.
Castillo said the two Philippine FA-50 fighter aircrafts and two U.S. B1-B bombers were taking part in the exercises, which will included flying over Scarborough Shoal, a disputed maritime feature in the South China Sea which China controls.
“This is not in relation to any particular issue. This is just part of the usual training we have,” Castillo told a media briefing.
Security engagements between the two treaty allies have ramped up under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., against a backdrop of rising tensions between Manila and Beijing due to their overlapping claims in the South China Sea.
At the briefing, the Philippine navy said it was “closely monitoring” three Chinese navy vessels within Manila’s maritime zones, including a Jiangkai class guided missile frigate.
“The presence of PLA-N (People’s Liberation Army-Navy) reflects the People’s Republic of China’s complete disregard for international law and undermines the peace and stability in the region,” navy spokesperson John Percie Alcos said.
State news agency Xinhua reported on Monday the passage of the Chinese fleet was consistent with international law, quoting a spokesperson from the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command.
Team BharatShakti
