China conducts combat patrols near Scarborough Shoal during US-Philippines drills
China's military announced Thursday that its naval and air forces carried out combat readiness patrols near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed South China Sea feature. The action coincided with ongoing multinational exercises led by the Philippines and United States. Beijing framed the patrols as measures to defend its sovereignty.
The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army stated its forces intensified vigilance patrols in the waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao, China's name for Scarborough Shoal, throughout April. These patrols counter provocative acts that infringe on China's rights. They aim to resolutely safeguard territorial sovereignty and maintain peace in the South China Sea. Chinese coast guard vessels also conducted law enforcement patrols nearby Thursday, regulating ships engaged in illegal activities.
The patrols occurred amid Balikatan 2026, the 41st edition of the annual Philippines-US exercise running from April 20 to May 8. Over 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand participated, with 17 more nations as observers, marking the most ambitious iteration yet. The drills coincide with the 75th anniversary of the US-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty.
China ramped up presence around Scarborough Shoal in recent weeks. Mid-April satellite images showed Chinese vessels and a 352-meter floating barrier at the shoal's entrance, restricting Philippine access to traditional fishing grounds. Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore Jay Tarriela confirmed the deployment, noting six Chinese maritime militia ships inside the shoal and three outside.
Scarborough Shoal lies within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China has controlled it since a 2012 standoff. Manila has accused Beijing of using force to block its fishermen and coast guard. A 2016 international tribunal rejected China's expansive South China Sea claims, but Beijing rejects the ruling. Analysts note China may exploit perceived US distraction in the Middle East conflict to expand regional control. Satellite images also show China building a large airbase on Antelope Reef in the Paracel Islands across about 600 hectares of reclaimed land.
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