China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed shoal near the Philippines
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This handout photo shows a Chinese coast guard ship firing a water cannon at a Philippine research vessel near the disputed Scarborough Shoal on July 23.
PHOTO: AFP
BEIJING – China’s military and China Coast Guard conducted joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media reports.
The drills were held in the airspace and territorial waters around the shoal, which China calls Huangyan Dao.
The Chinese military described the exercise as a necessary response to actions by “certain countries” it said were undermining regional peace and stability.
The Scarborough Shoal is also claimed by the Philippines, where it is known as Bajo de Masinloc.
The Chinese military said “so-called territorial sea baselines of Huangyan Dao designated by the Philippine side are illegal and invalid”.
The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Chinese military drills around the shoal.
The drills were to test and improve the combat readiness of China’s forces to defend national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, the Chinese military said.
China issued a new policy on Aug 1 for the administration of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve – established in September 2025 – and said unauthorised fishing, mining, coral or giant clam extraction and other harmful activities would be banned, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Violators of the ban will be held legally accountable.
The Chinese coast guard will set up regular patrols around the reserve to deal with any illegal activities, Xinhua said.
China Coast Guard on Aug 1 conducted a rights-protection and law enforcement drill near Huangyan Island, according to China state broadcaster CCTV.
China Coast Guard said it will strengthen law enforcement and control measures in the waters near Huangyan Island, according to CCTV. REUTERS
