The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted combat readiness patrols in efforts to improve combat capabilities and maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region,

China's military says it has conducted drills near the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. The exercises come as other countries, including the Philippines, Japan, Australia and New Zealand hold their own drills in waters that fall inside the Philippines' maritime territory in the South China Sea.