Chinese forces patrol Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea to ‘defend sovereignty’
Show of force comes a day after state broadcaster airs rare footage of Chinese military drills on a contested reef of the Spratly Islands
The show of force came a day after China’s state broadcaster aired rare footage of Chinese military drills on a contested reef of the Spratly Islands – known as the Nansha Islands in China – highlighting Beijing’s ability to take military action in the event of “sudden military threats”.
The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said it had deployed forces to patrol the waters and airspace as part of its continuous efforts this month to strengthen control over the area.
A statement released by the command on Saturday said the Chinese coastguard had also patrolled the area, adding that the coastguard had been monitoring, warning and expelling ships that had entered the waters.