Screenshot of a video from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command (STC)

The naval and air units of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command (STC) conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China’s Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Thursday, the Theater Command said in statement on Thursday. 

Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China’s territory. Since April, forces of the STC have enhanced readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, it said.  

Such patrols serve as an effective countermeasure to cope with all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts. They are meant to resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and uphold peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the statement. 

In a video released by the STC, an unidentified aerial target was seen continuously approaching Huangyan Dao. During a combat readiness patrol, the pilots were heard communicating: “Lock onto the target and stay alert!” “I’ve got it locked—it won’t get away!”

Screenshot of a video from the China Coast Guard

On the same day, the China Coast Guard (CCG) conducted law-enforcement patrols in the territorial sea of China’s Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Thursday, according to a statement issued by the CCG.

“Philippine vessel, this is China Coast Guard, You have entered the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao of People’s Republic of China. Your behavior is not innocent passage and has violated Chinese laws and regulations. We here issue a warning: Stop your illegal actions and leave the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao at once!” a CCG law enforcement personnel said in English in a video released by the CCG.

Since April, the CCG has enhanced law-enforcement patrols in the territorial sea of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, and regulated ships engaged in illegal rights-violation activities in accordance with laws and regulations, the CCG said.  

Such patrols are meant to further strengthen orderly management of relevant waters and resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the statement said.