China conducts own ‘combat patrols’ in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — China conducted yesterday military “combat patrols” in the South China Sea (SCS) as the Philippines and allies the United States, Japan and Australia embarked on joint naval exercises on the same day.

This transpired one day after defense chiefs from the four countries including the Philippines – which has been engaged in several contentious maritime disputes with Beijing recently – said they would conduct joint drills on Sunday in the area.

In a statement sent by the Chinese embassy in Manila to the media, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command said it organized a joint naval and air strategic patrol in the SCS on April 7.

“All military activities disrupting the South China Sea situation and creating buzzes are under control,” the PLA Southern Theater Command said – an obvious reference to the four-nation naval drills in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The exercises take place days before US President Joe Biden is due to hold the first trilateral summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan.

Top US officials have repeatedly declared the United States’ “ironclad” commitment to defending the Philippines against an armed attack in the South China Sea – to the consternation of Beijing.

China claims territorial sovereignty over nearly all of the South China Sea, and has been increasingly assertive in the region in recent years.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) hosted on Saturday a pre-sail conference for the quad naval drills, also known as the inaugural Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA).

Key planning members from the AFP, Australian Defence Force, Japan Self Defense Force, and United States Indo-Pacific Command, convened at the Western Command headquarters in Puerto Princesa to finalize plans for the activity.

The MCA underscores the commitment to uphold international law while promoting peace and stability in the region.

The AFP said the MCA, conducted by naval/maritime and air force units in the Philippine exclusive economic zone (EEZ), prioritizes adherence to international and domestic laws, ensuring the safety of navigation and respect for the rights and interests of all states involved. It would