August 9, 2024

From Wednesday to Thursday, the Philippines, the US, Australia and Canada launched joint sea and air drills in the South China Sea. Ironically, the Philippines, which has already conducted three joint exercises with non-regional countries within just 10 days, again portrayed itself as a "victim." 

With the aim of testing troops' reconnaissance, early warning, rapid deployments and joint strike capabilities, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (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. However, according to Reuters, the Philippines military responded by saying three Chinese navy vessels had "tailed" the four-country exercise.

The Philippines' statement is a blatant attempt to discredit China's reasonable and lawful actions. China has indisputable sovereignty over Huangyan Dao and its adjacent waters, and the PLA's patrol in the South China Sea is a natural and rightful way to defend the country's territorial sovereignty, according to experts.

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