August 7, 2024

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Wednesday held a combat patrol in the South China Sea in an apparent response to a joint exercise by the Philippines, the US, Australia and Canada in the region. The combat patrol is a move to defend China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights while sending a warning to relevant parties not to fan the flames in the region, experts said. 

With the aim of testing troops' reconnaissance, early warning, fast maneuvering and joint strike capabilities, the PLA Southern Theater Command on Wednesday organized a joint combat patrol in waters and airspace near Huangyan Dao (also known as Huangyan Island) in the South China Sea, the theater command said in a press release on Wednesday. 

All military activities that stir up the situation in the South China Sea, create hotspot events and sabotage regional peace and stability are in complete control, the PLA Southern Theater Command said.

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