# PLA Southern Theatre

Beijing Steps Up South China Sea Patrols After Manila’s Outreach to Extra‑Regional Forces

The PLA’s Southern Theatre reported five consecutive days of sea‑air patrols in the South China Sea, framing the moves as a response to Philippine cooperation with extra‑regional forces. Manila, meanwhile, vows to accelerate negotiations on a South China Sea Code of Conduct as ASEAN chair, creating a tension between deterrence through outside partnerships and efforts to institutionalise crisis management.