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From June 27 to 28, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea, said Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command. 

The Command's move came after the Filipino and American naval and air units over the weekend conducted the fifth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the so-called "West Philippine Sea," Philippine News Agency reported on Monday.

The report claimed that the exercise reaffirmed the two nations' commitment to strengthening maritime cooperation and regional security.

Zhai said that in an attempt to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize so-called "joint patrols," disrupting peace and stability in the region.

Forces of the Southern Theater Command will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability, the spokesperson said.

The Command has been consistently pushing back against the so-called "joint patrols" orchestrated by the Philippines with countries outside the region. On April 28 and from April 9 to 12 this year, the Command also conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea to resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Global Times