China's Military Conducts South China Sea Patrols, Criticizes Manila

The Chinese People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command conducted routine naval and air patrols in the South China Sea from August 21 to 25, according to military spokesperson Senior Captain Zhai Shichen. In a statement published by official Chinese military media, Zhai criticized the Philippines for enlisting non-regional countries to carry out joint patrols, accusing Manila of disrupting regional peace and stability. The Southern Theater Command reaffirmed its readiness to safeguard national sovereignty and maritime rights.

The statement underscores heightened military friction and diplomatic signaling in the South China Sea. Beijing's direct naming of Philippine joint patrols reflects increasing sensitivity to growing multilateral defense cooperation between Manila and external partners such as the United States and regional allies.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols in the South China Sea from August 21 to August 25, according to an official statement delivered by theater command spokesperson Senior Captain Zhai Shichen. According to the statement released through official military channels and reported by Chinese state media, Zhai stated that the Philippines had engaged external nations to stir up tensions in the South China Sea and conduct so-called joint patrols. The spokesperson asserted that these joint activities undermine regional peace and stability. Zhai emphasized that troops under the Southern Theater Command remain on high alert and will resolutely defend China's national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, while maintaining peace and stability in the region. The theater command's announcement reflects ongoing frictions in the South China Sea, where Beijing has repeatedly criticized growing defense cooperation between Manila and outside partners, including the United States and regional allies. Beijing has consistently opposed foreign military presence in the area, arguing that disputes should be managed exclusively by direct claimants. While the brief official release did not specify the exact locations, vessel types, or foreign nations involved in the referenced joint activities, the scheduled five-day patrol underscores the PLA's ongoing effort to maintain a continuous, regularized operational presence across the waterway.