(China, Philippines, 14th) The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on Sunday (September 14) accused the Philippines of rallying extra-regional countries to organize "joint patrols," undermining regional peace and stability. It demanded that the Philippines immediately stop provoking incidents and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, and stated that bringing in external forces for backing is doomed to be futile.
On Saturday, the WeChat public account "Southern Theater Command" released a statement in which spokesperson Tian Junli pointed out that the Southern Theater Command of the PLA conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea from September 12 to 13. Tian Junli said the Philippines has been frequently rallying extra-regional countries to organize so-called "joint patrols" and spread illegal claims in the South China Sea, undermining regional peace and stability.
The Southern Theater Command sternly warned the Philippines to immediately stop provoking incidents and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, saying that introducing external forces for backing is destined to be futile. The theater command troops remain on high alert and are determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and peace and stability in the South China Sea region, and any attempt to create trouble and disrupt the situation will not succeed.
According to Bloomberg, the Philippine military issued a statement on Sunday saying that the Philippines, Japan, and the United States held joint drills in the South China Sea.
The statement said: "These ongoing interactions highlight the three countries’ firm commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation, promoting regional security, and supporting a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region."
Earlier, China announced it had approved the establishment of a national-level nature reserve at the disputed Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island by China). The Philippines expressed strong protest on Thursday, calling it a "clear violation" of Manila’s rights.
On Saturday, the WeChat public account "Southern Theater Command" released a statement in which spokesperson Tian Junli pointed out that the Southern Theater Command of the PLA conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea from September 12 to 13. Tian Junli said the Philippines has been frequently rallying extra-regional countries to organize so-called "joint patrols" and spread illegal claims in the South China Sea, undermining regional peace and stability.
The Southern Theater Command sternly warned the Philippines to immediately stop provoking incidents and escalating tensions in the South China Sea, saying that introducing external forces for backing is destined to be futile. The theater command troops remain on high alert and are determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and peace and stability in the South China Sea region, and any attempt to create trouble and disrupt the situation will not succeed.
According to Bloomberg, the Philippine military issued a statement on Sunday saying that the Philippines, Japan, and the United States held joint drills in the South China Sea.
The statement said: "These ongoing interactions highlight the three countries’ firm commitment to enhancing maritime cooperation, promoting regional security, and supporting a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region."
Earlier, China announced it had approved the establishment of a national-level nature reserve at the disputed Scarborough Shoal (called Huangyan Island by China). The Philippines expressed strong protest on Thursday, calling it a "clear violation" of Manila’s rights.