South China Sea: Chinese military says reef patrols stepped up amid tension with Manila
02:40
Beijing, Manila trade ‘ramming’ claims in latest South China Sea coastguard incident
“Since November, the theatre has organised naval and air forces to continuously strengthen the patrol and vigilance of the sea and air space around the territorial waters of the Huangyan Island, further strengthening our control of the relevant sea and air space,” the statement said, referring to China’s name for the shoal.
“[The theatre] is steadfast about defending our nation’s sovereignty and security, and safeguarding the peace and stability of the South China Sea.”
Scarborough Shoal, called Panatag Shoal by the Philippines, is a long-running flash point between Beijing and Manila. It is within the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile exclusive economic zone and used to be a shooting range for American military stationed at Subic Bay, while China has claimed the shoal as part of its Zhongsha Islands.