China conducts sea, air patrols in disputed Sea

China's military held joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, a spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Southern Theater Command said.

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Spokesperson Tian Junli said in a statement on Sunday that the Philippines has courted countries outside the region to organise “joint patrols” and “raised security risks” in the region.

“The theater command forces remain on high alert, resolutely safeguarding China's national sovereignty and maritime rights,” he said, adding that “all military activities that seek to stir up trouble in the South China Sea or create flashpoints are fully under control.”

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Tensions have continued to run high between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.

In May, the militaries of the US and Philippines carried out joint drills in waters adjacent to the South China Sea claimed by Beijing, amid a rising number of incidents between China and the Philippines in the vital Southeast Asian waterway.

Participating in the maneuvers in the Sulu Sea were ships and aircraft from navies and coast guards, along with the US Air Force, the US 7th Fleet responsible for the Asia-Pacific said in a statement.