China conducts patrols in South China Sea amid simmering tensions

China’s military is set to carry out regular patrols with its naval and air forces in the South China Sea, starting from Wednesday to Thursday, as announced by the military’s Southern Theater Command. The move came amid ongoing tensions in the region related to disputed territories. The Southern Theater Command stated that troops in the area would maintain a state of high alert at all times, emphasizing their commitment to defending national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights. The primary objective of these patrols is to discourage activities that could disrupt the South China Sea and potentially create “hot spots,” as outlined in the military’s statement on its Southern Theater Command’s WeChat account. The manoeuvres come as China faces rising tensions in the region, especially with the Philippines. Both countries have recently traded numerous accusations over high-profile maritime confrontations. The Philippines and the United States began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday, a move that likely irked China. Last week, the Philippines said it was not provoking conflict in the South China Sea, responding to China’s accusation that Manila was encroaching on Beijing’s territory. China has repeatedly warned the Philippines of breaching areas of the South China Sea it considers its own territory. China claims almost the entire South China Sea, while the Philippines refers to the part of the South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippines Sea. China said the Philippines has relied on U.S. support to continually provoke China. The Philippines and the U.S. first launched joint patrols in November, and security engagements between the treaty allies soared last year amid growing tensions in the South China Sea. With inputs from agencies.