China Slams U.S.-Philippines Joint Air Patrol, Tensions Rise Again in South China Sea Disputed Waters

On Wednesday, March 5, 2025, China announced a 7.2% increase in its 2025 national defense budget, bringing total military spending to $249 billion.
The Chinese PLA Navy dual carrier armada, the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carriers. Image via the People's Liberation Army.

The skies over the South China Sea saw heightened military activity on Tuesday as the Philippine Air Force and the United States Air Force carried out a joint air patrol. This operation immediately drew angry response from China.

Coinciding with this, China’s air force launched its own patrol over Scarborough Shoal, a disputed maritime feature.

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by Edwin Shri Bimo

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