The Chinese military has carried out two-day joint combat readiness patrols in the contested South China Sea amid ongoing tensions with the Philippines over the strategically important waters.
The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command said its naval and air forces patrolled the waters on Friday and Saturday.
“The patrols were meant to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region, and any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea are fully under control,” the statement said, without providing further details.
It was the first patrol of the year and coincided with a joint air and sea exercise involving the Philippine and United States militaries.
The exercises took place days before Donald Trump’s return to the White House on Monday.
China’s military and coastguard have stepped up their activities in the disputed waters in recent years and Trump’s second term could see tensions with the Philippines increasing further.
Beijing and Manila agreed to continue talks on settling their territorial differences following a meeting between Chen Xiaodong, the vice-minister for foreign affairs, and his Philippine counterpart Maria Theresa Lazaro on Thursday.
But China also criticised Manila’s “provocative” activities and accused it of trying to “hype up” disputes.
The Philippines is currently upgrading the infrastructure, including an airstrip, on Thitu Island, its only inhabited outpost in the disputed Spratly Islands.
Meanwhile, Manila has protested about “escalatory and provocative” coastguard activity, including the presence of China’s largest coastguard ship in the waters around Scarborough Shoal.
