China's military conducted exercises in the South China Sea the day after President Xi Jinping returned from a state visit to the United States.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military announced on September 27 that joint drills were held in the maritime and aerial areas surrounding Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Dao in China and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines).
The Southern Theater Command emphasized that the exercises were necessary actions against individual countries that disrupt regional peace and stability, stating their purpose was to assess and enhance real combat capabilities to protect territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.
They also highlighted a focus on practical training, including reconnaissance, early warning, rapid mobility, and joint search and rescue operations, asserting that their forces maintain a high state of alert.
During Xi's visit to the U.S., tensions between China and the Philippines continued over the South China Sea. The Chinese Coast Guard reported that on September 24, the Philippines violated agreements by sending supply vessels to Second Thomas Shoal (known as Ayungin in the Philippines, Ren'ai Jiao in China, and Bai Kermay in Vietnam), prompting the Chinese Coast Guard to conduct tracking, monitoring, and warnings at the scene.
The two countries have faced multiple standoffs in the area over troop rotations and supply deliveries. Additionally, the Maritime Safety Administration of Guangdong Province announced live-fire drills in certain areas of the South China Sea on September 28 and 30, issuing navigation warnings prohibiting vessel entry during those times.
In response, the state-run Global Times cited experts who indicated that the recent drills were aimed at the Philippines. Meanwhile, President Xi returned to China on September 26 after completing his state visit to the U.S.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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