Chinese Military Conducts Joint Drills Near Disputed Scarborough Shoal

The Chinese military held joint naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea, on Saturday.

“This is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the acts of certain countries within the region that have undermined regional peace and stability,” the PLA Southern Theatre Command wrote in a social media post.

“The training exercise aims to test and enhance the forces’ real combat capabilities to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is one of the main flashpoints in the long-running territorial dispute between the two countries.

Saturday’s drills were staged in and around the reef’s territorial sea and airspace, testing the PLA’s ability to coordinate air and sea operations and provide rapid reinforcements, state broadcaster CCTV reported.

It added that the exercise covered areas such as reconnaissance and warning, deterrent patrols, control of the air and sea, as well as joint strikes.