The day after Xi Jinping returned from his visit to the United States, the Chinese military held military exercises at Scarborough Reef in the South China Sea.

(Shanghai = Yonhap News) Correspondent Cha Byeong-seop = The Chinese military conducted military training in the disputed waters of the South China Sea on the 27th (local time), the day after Chinese President Xi Jinping returned home from his state visit to the United States.

The Chinese military's Southern Theater announced on this day that it conducted joint training in the sea and airspace around Scarborough Reef (Chinese name: Huangyan Island, Philippine name: Bajo de Masinnoc) in the South China Sea.

Regarding the training, the Southern Theater emphasized, "It is a necessary action against the current destruction of regional peace and stability by individual countries," and "The purpose is to check and improve practical capabilities to protect territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

He also said that the focus was on practical training such as reconnaissance, early warning, rapid maneuver, and joint search and rescue, and that "southern theater units are always on high alert."

Citing experts, state-run media outlet Global Times reported that this training was aimed at the Philippines.

Zhang Chi, a professor at China's National Defense University, said it was a "severe warning to the Philippines" and that the Chinese military would resolutely thwart any attempts to cause trouble in the South China Sea through provocations or reliance on foreign powers.

President Xi returned to Korea on the 26th after completing a state visit to the United States, and at the U.S.-China summit, he said, "I hope that the United States will maintain the correct stance against 'Taiwan independence' and handle the Taiwan issue carefully."

China and the Philippines continued their war of nerves over the South China Sea even during President Xi's visit to the United States.

The Chinese Coast Guard announced on the 24th that the Philippines broke its promise and sent a supply ship to Second Thomas Reef (Ayungin in the Philippines, Renaijiao in China, Baikemei in Vietnam) to supply supplies, and that the Chinese Coast Guard conducted on-site tracking, surveillance, and warnings.

The two countries have faced off several times in this area over the exchange of troops and supply of supplies to the Philippines.

In addition, the Zhuhai Maritime Bureau in Guangdong Province, China, has issued a navigation warning banning ships from entering during those times, saying live ammunition will be fired in some waters of the South China Sea on the 28th and 30th.