China Patrols Disputed Sea as US, Allies Hold Defense Drills

(Bloomberg) -- China said it held naval and air combat patrol near a contested South China Sea area on Wednesday, as the US and three other allies announced joint maritime drills.

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The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army organized the patrol in the vicinity of Huangyan Island, also known as Scarborough Shoal, it said in a statement on WeChat. It added that military activities disrupting stability in the area and creating hotspots are under control.

China’s move happened on the same day that the US, Philippines, Australia and Canada announced the start of their two-day joint maritime drills within the Southeast Asian nation’s exclusive economic zone.

The activity is meant to demonstrate “our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the four nations’ top military officials said in a statement released by the Philippines’ armed forces.

“We stand together to address common maritime challenges and underscore our shared dedication to upholding international law,” the statement read.

Philippines Fortifies South China Sea Outpost For a Decade

Manila has recently been ramping up military drills with other nations, while trying to ease tensions with Beijing in the disputed sea. It held its first exercises with Japan last week, following a similar activity with the US.

The military drills are part of Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s efforts to strengthen security ties with allies. The Southeast Asian nation recently secured greater defense funding from the US, its longstanding security ally. It also signed last month a key military pact with Japan, similar to existing deal with the US and Australia while working on a new one with Canada.

(Updates with China patrolling South China Sea area.)

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