The Chinese authorities consider the actions of the Philippines, which conducts joint patrols with non-regional countries in the South China Sea (SCS), as military provocations. This was stated by Senior Colonel Tian Junli, a representative of the Southern Region Combat Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
"On February 12, the forces of the Southern Region Combat Command of the PLA conducted a routine patrol in the waters of the South China Sea.
It also notes that the Chinese military continues to maintain a high level of readiness and resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
For several decades, China has been involved in disputes with some countries over the territorial ownership of individual islands in the South China Sea, where significant hydrocarbon reserves have been discovered.
