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China says conducted routine patrol in South China Sea
"Theater troops continue to maintain a high level of alert and will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the statement said, which accused the Philippines of actions that "deliberately undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea."
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Looming conflict?: A China Coast Guard ship shadows Philippine fishing boats carrying volunteers from Atin Ito (This Is Ours) Coalition during a civilian-led mission on May 16, 2024 to distribute fuel and food to fishers in the disputed South China Sea. (AFP/Ted Aljibe)
C
hina's military on Wednesday conducted a "routine patrol" in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the Southern Theater Command's official WeChat account.
"Theater troops continue to maintain a high level of alert and will resolutely defend the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the statement said, which accused the Philippines of actions that "deliberately undermined peace and stability in the South China Sea."
The Embassy of the Philippines in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Earlier on Wednesday, Taiwan said it detected 62 Chinese military aircraft near the self-ruled island this week, as two US ships sailed through the sensitive Taiwan Strait.
The United States and its allies regularly transit the 180-kilometre (112-mile) Taiwan Strait to reinforce its status as an international waterway, angering Beijing.
Beijing has never ruled Taiwan, but it claims the democratic island as part of its territory and has threatened to bring it under its control by force.
Taipei said the US ships travelled from north to south "starting from February 10".
China's People's Liberation Army said Wednesday it had monitored the passage of the US destroyer and the ocean survey ship.
"This US action sent the wrong signal and increased security risks," Li Xi, a senior colonel and spokesman for China's Eastern Theatre Command, said in a statement.
Taiwan's defence ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang dismissed the criticism and said Taipei supported the freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait.
"Regarding the situation around the Taiwan Strait, there is no need for me to elaborate further on who is the so-called troublemaker," he told reporters Wednesday.
"All neighbouring countries should have a very deep understanding of this".
Washington's latest passage through the Taiwan Strait was the first time since US President Donald Trump took office in January.
It came after Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on Friday they "opposed any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo (in the Taiwan Strait) by force or coercion".
Data published by the Taiwan defence ministry showed 62 Chinese military aircraft were detected near the island in the 48 hours to 6:00 am local time on Wednesday, coinciding with the US ships' transit.
"We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly," the ministry said in a statement.
