PLA stages South China Sea drills days after ‘illegal’ Philippine seabed bid

The Chinese military held joint naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea, on Saturday.

The training exercise came after Beijing hit out at the Philippines for an “illegal” attempt to extend its seabed rights off the coast of Palawan

and map out its claims to the reef.

“This is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the acts of certain countries within the region that have undermined regional peace and stability,” the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command wrote in a social media post.

“The training exercise aims to test and enhance the forces’ real combat capabilities to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”

Saturday also marked the 99th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.

The official PLA Daily published an opinion piece that urged the force to “keep a close eye on changes in technology, warfare and adversaries, and intensify practical, combat-oriented military training”.