The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command has executed comprehensive combat readiness patrols in the South China Sea, demonstrating heightened military preparedness in the strategically vital waterway. The operations, conducted from Sunday through Monday, involved coordinated naval and air force deployments across the maritime region.
Military spokesperson Zhai Shichen addressed the escalating regional dynamics, stating that recent Philippine collaborations with external nations have precipitated the need for enhanced defensive measures. “The Philippines’ coordination with extra-regional powers to conduct so-called ‘joint patrols’ has substantially destabilized the South China Sea’s security environment,” Zhai stated during Tuesday’s briefing.
The theater command’s announcement emphasized China’s unwavering commitment to protecting territorial integrity and maritime interests through these proactive defense initiatives. Military authorities affirmed their continued vigilance in maintaining regional stability while safeguarding national sovereignty according to established international norms and domestic legal frameworks.
The patrols represent the latest development in ongoing regional security discussions, occurring amid complex geopolitical negotiations concerning maritime boundaries and navigation rights. China maintains that these operations constitute legitimate exercises of national defense prerogatives within internationally recognized frameworks.