The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has conducted naval and aerial patrol operations around Scarborough Shoal, a disputed area in the South China Sea.
According to the PLA Southern Theater Command, naval and air forces carried out combat-readiness patrols in the waters and airspace surrounding the atoll. Beijing described the operation as a lawful measure aimed at countering provocations and violations in the region.
At the same time, the China Coast Guard reported that it had taken action over the past month against vessels suspected of engaging in illegal activities in the area.
The patrols took place against the backdrop of the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore. During the event, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated that Manila faces serious territorial and political threats from China.
Scarborough Shoal, also known as Panacot or Huangyan Island, remains one of the most disputed areas between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. While China claims sovereignty over much of the region, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that Beijing’s claims had no legal basis under international law. China has rejected the ruling and continues to dispute its validity.
