China’s military carried out joint sea and air patrols in the South China Sea on Saturday, according to the People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theatre Command.
Spokesperson Tian Junli said the Philippines had invited countries from outside the region to take part in joint patrols. He argued that this move increased security risks in the area.
Tian stated that Chinese forces remain on high alert and are committed to defending the country’s sovereignty and maritime interests. He also said the military monitors all activities that could cause tension in the region.
The Philippine embassy in Beijing has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Earlier this month, the Philippines and the United States conducted their seventh joint maritime exercise in the South China Sea.
Disputes over territory in the area have kept tensions high. The South China Sea is a vital trade route, with over $3 trillion in goods passing through each year.
China claims most of the sea, overlapping with areas also claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that China’s claims had no legal basis. China does not accept this ruling.
