China conducts patrols in South China Sea amid ongoing run-ins

BEIJING — China's military will conduct routine patrols with its naval and air forces in the South China Sea from Wednesday (Jan 3) to Thursday, the military's Southern Theatre Command said, as ongoing tensions simmer in the region over disputed territories.

It said troops in the area will be on high alert at all times, and will defend national sovereignty, security and maritime rights.

The patrols also aim to deter activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create "hot spots," the military said on its Southern Theatre 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 US 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 South China Sea within its exclusive economic zone as the West Philippines Sea.

China said the Philippines has relied on US support to continually provoke China.

The Philippines and the US first launched joint patrols in November, and security engagements between the treaty allies soared last year amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

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