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

Chinese military says Scarborough Shoal exercises were a response to ‘certain countries’ that had ‘undermined regional peace and stability’

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

“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”.