Key Takeaways
- Chinese military conducted joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.
- The exercise aimed to test and improve combat readiness for defending national territorial sovereignty.
- China issued a new policy banning unauthorised activities in the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve.
China’s military has conducted joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Dao, in the South China Sea. The drills were carried out to test and improve the combat readiness of Chinese forces.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command confirmed that these exercises took place in the airspace and waters surrounding the shoal. The exercise was described by the Chinese military as a necessary response to actions it believes are undermining regional peace and stability.
Scarborough Shoal is claimed by both China and the Philippines, with the latter referring to it as Bajo de Masinloc. While the Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment, the drills highlight ongoing tensions in the region over territorial claims.
The Chinese military emphasized that these exercises were aimed at defending national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights. The statement also noted that China has issued a new policy on the administration of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, which was established in September 2025. This policy bans unauthorised fishing, mining, coral or giant clam extraction, and other harmful activities within the reserve.
Violators of this ban will face legal accountability according to Xinhua news agency. The move underscores China’s commitment to protecting its maritime interests through both military exercises and regulatory measures.
The drills come amid ongoing disputes in the South China Sea, where several countries have overlapping claims. While China has been increasingly assertive in asserting its sovereignty over disputed territories, it has also sought to engage in dialogue with other claimants to resolve issues peacefully.
