PLA conducts combat patrols around Scarborough Shoal in response to Philippine provocations
China’s Southern Theater Command and Coast Guard launched combat patrols and law enforcement operations around Scarborough Shoal, described as necessary countermeasures to Philippine infringements, state media reported.
The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command has deployed naval and air forces to conduct combat readiness patrols in the territorial sea, territorial airspace and adjacent sea and air areas around China’s Scarborough Shoal, known in Chinese as Huangyan Dao. The China Coast Guard has simultaneously carried out law enforcement patrols in the territorial sea and surrounding waters of the shoal.
State broadcaster CCTV reported that Scarborough Shoal is an inherent part of China’s territory and described the operations as a necessary countermeasure against what it called Philippine acts of infringement and provocation. The theater command said its forces have intensified patrols and vigilance in the territorial sea and surrounding airspace of the shoal since the beginning of this month, while the coast guard has strengthened law enforcement patrols in the area.
According to the report, the Chinese authorities have been handling illegal and infringing vessels in accordance with laws and regulations, further tightening control over the sea and airspace. The operations are intended to effectively respond to various types of infringement and provocative acts, resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, and firmly maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.