China Conducts Combat Readiness Patrols near Huangyan Island in the South China Sea

China Conducts Combat Readiness Patrols near Huangyan Island

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted combat readiness patrols near China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, sending a strong signal of China's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The patrols, the third of their kind near the island, involved naval and air forces continuously strengthening patrols and vigilance around the island's territorial waters and airspace. This effort has enhanced control over the relevant maritime and airspace areas, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and security, and firmly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.

Professor Liu Lin, an expert in international strategy, explained that combat readiness patrols are conducted in a state of combat preparation, exceeding the level of regular patrols. These patrols are conducted to respond to any potential emergencies.

The patrols followed the signing of the Maritime Zones Act and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on November 8th, which attempted to unlawfully include China's Huangyan Island and most of the islands and reefs of the Nansha Islands in its maritime zones.

In response, the Chinese government released baselines for the territorial sea adjacent to Huangyan Island in accordance with international law. Professor Liu emphasized the necessity and urgency for China to strengthen control over the maritime and airspace areas of Huangyan Island through combat readiness patrols, given the frequent provocations by the Philippines in recent times.

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang responded to recent comments by the Philippine Coast Guard spokesperson, who claimed that the giant vessels of the China Coast Guard attacked the small vessels of the Philippine Coast Guard. Zhang stressed that China has indisputable sovereignty over South China Sea islands and its adjacent waters, and that the maritime disputes between China and the Philippines have nothing to do with the size of countries, but the merits of fact matter. He urged the Philippine side to change course and return to the right track of resolving issues through negotiation and consultation.