China Conducts Drills in South China Sea Amidst Joint Maritime Activity

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted drills near Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on July 23, 2016, in response to a joint maritime activity by the Philippines, the US, Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.

The PLA deployed naval and air forces for reconnaissance, early warning, and sea-air patrols. They emphasized their commitment to defending China's sovereignty and maritime rights, and maintaining regional peace and stability.

The drills aimed to assess the troops' capabilities in various combat scenarios. The PLA warned against attempts to stir up trouble or create hot spot issues, and reaffirmed their readiness to counter any threats to regional peace.

While the PLA exercise was routine, it served as a clear display of China's determination to defend its territorial claims and send a message to those challenging its position.

The joint maritime activity by the five countries, likely conducted in disputed waters, could embolden the Philippines to make further provocations. The increasing presence of non-regional military activities in the South China Sea raises concerns among ASEAN members and coastal countries, highlighting the forces destabilizing the region.

Military activities and media hype by non-regional countries are causing tensions and harming freedom of navigation. The exercise near Huangyan Dao also served to practice the defense of strategic lanes near the island, which is located close to key waterways the US military seeks to control.