China Holds Naval, Air Patrols Near Scarborough Shoal as Philippines, U.S. Stage Drills

Troops from New Zealand, Philippines, U.S., and Australia pose for a photo with their national flags after participating in counter-landing live fire exercises during Balikatan, the annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines, at Long Point Beach, Brgy. Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines, April 27, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
Troops from New Zealand, Philippines, U.S., and Australia pose for a photo with their national flags after participating in counter-landing live fire exercises during Balikatan, the annual joint military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines, at Long Point Beach, Brgy. Aporawan, Aborlan, Palawan, Philippines, April 27, 2026. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

China’s military said on Thursday its naval and air forces held combat readiness patrols near the Scarborough Shoal in the disputed South China Sea.

The patrols come in response to annual regional drills from April 20 to May 8, bringing together forces from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States to showcase advanced weapons capabilities and operational readiness.

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by Reuters

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