Jamaine Punzalan

This photo shows an aerial view of China Coast Guard vessel inside Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on February 16, 2024. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File 

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:900px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1732832407685viber_image_2024-11-29_06-17-37-853.jpg" style="width:900px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">This photo shows an aerial view of China Coast Guard vessel inside Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea on February 16, 2024. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File </span></span></span></div><p>Beijing on Thursday said it was conducting air and naval patrols around Scarborough Shoal in the West Philippine Sea to &quot;resolutely defend&quot; its national sovereignty.</p><p>The so-called &quot;combat readiness patrols&quot; were to strengthen &quot;vigilance in the sea and air space around the territorial areas of Huangyan Dao,&quot; Chinese military&#x27;s Southern Theater Command said in a statement, using the Chinese name for Scarborough Shoal.</p><p>China has organized air and naval forces throughout November, the statement added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2024/11/26/54-successful-patrol-missions-conducted-in-west-ph-sea-in-november-afp-1548">54 &#x27;successful&#x27; patrol missions conducted in West PH Sea in November: AFP</a></div><p>Beijing claims the waters around Scarborough Shoal -- a chain of reefs that it seized from the Philippines in 2012.</p><p>The triangular chain of reefs and rocks is 240 kilometers west of the Philippines&#x27; main island of Luzon and nearly 900 kilometers from the nearest major Chinese land mass of Hainan.</p><p>Philippine and Chinese vessels have clashed frequently in the past year, resulting in injuries and damages.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/12/ph-says-it-s-under-pressure-from-china-to-cede-claims-in-south-china-sea-1601">PH says it&#x27;s under pressure from China to cede claims in South China Sea</a></div><p>Tensions escalated in November when Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos signed <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/8/marcos-signs-two-laws-reinforcing-philippine-rights-over-maritime-zones-1306">two laws</a> defining the country&#x27;s sea waters and imposing fixed lanes for foreign ships.</p><p>That sparked a sharp riposte by China, which <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/8/china-summons-philippine-envoy-over-new-maritime-laws-2224">summoned Manila&#x27;s envoy</a> &quot;to lodge solemn representations&quot; over their passage.</p><p>China&#x27;s coast guard also vowed to &quot;continue to strengthen patrols and law enforcement in the territorial sea of Scarborough Shoal and relevant waters.&quot;</p><p>Tensions rose again earlier this month when the United States and the Philippines signed a security agreement that allows the two sides to <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/11/18/us-philippines-sign-deal-on-sharing-military-information-1402">share classified information.</a></p><p>On Thursday, responding to a question on that security agreement, a spokesperson for China&#x27;s defense ministry said: &quot;Forming cliques... will only exacerbate tensions and undermine regional stability.&quot;</p><p>&quot;We will... continue to take all necessary measures to counter infringement and provocation and firmly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea,&quot; Wu Qian told a press conference.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div>

<p>Beijing on Thursday said it was conducting air and naval patrols around a contested shoal in the South China Sea to "resolutely defend" its national sovereignty.</p>

Beijing on Thursday said it was conducting air and naval patrols around a contested shoal in the South China Sea to "resolutely defend" its national sovereignty.

Chinese military sends 'patrols' around contested South China Sea shoal

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Chinese military sends 'patrols' around contested South China Sea shoal

Agence France-Presse

Published Nov 29, 2024 06:33 AM PHT

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