China's military warns the Philippines against provocations in the South China Sea

Beijing announced on Sunday that the Chinese army had carried out routine patrols in the South China Sea and warned the Philippines against further provocations. Both countries have been embroiled in a maritime conflict in the strategically important waterway for years, marked by clashes between coast guards and large-scale naval exercises.

A spokesman for the Chinese army's Southern Command called on Manila to immediately end provocations and not to involve external forces. “Any attempt to stir up trouble or destabilize the situation will fail,” he said.

The Philippine authorities did not initially respond to inquiries. The embassy in Beijing also declined to comment.

Meanwhile, the US Indo-Pacific Command said that the US, Japan, and the Philippines had held joint naval exercises in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone from Thursday to Saturday to strengthen regional cooperation. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed Washington's support for Manila and accused China of “destabilizing plans” in the dispute over an atoll.

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, despite overlapping claims by other neighboring countries.

(reuters, est)