Beijing Condemns Joint Military Exercises
China's military has issued a stern warning regarding recent joint patrols conducted in the South China Sea by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Beijing stated its forces remain on high alert and that any attempts to 'stir up trouble' in the contested waterway will ultimately 'fail'.
On Friday, February 27, 2026, Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, a spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, criticized the Philippines for 'co-opting countries outside the region to organise the so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the region'. This statement followed China's own 'routine patrol' of the South China Sea, conducted from February 23 to 26.
Ministry of Defense Reiterates Sovereignty Claims
Further amplifying Beijing's stance, Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, on Saturday, February 28, 2026, asserted that China 'exercises sovereignty and jurisdiction over South China Sea islands and adjacent waters'. Zhang specifically responded to the 'joint patrol' near Huangyan Dao (Scarborough Shoal), accusing the United States and other non-regional countries of being the 'source of tensions' in the region.
Zhang also labeled the Philippines as a 'troublemaker and a saboteur of peace through and through', alleging that Manila has 'constantly made provocations and infringed upon Chinese interests'. He stressed that China's actions to protect its sovereignty are 'legitimate, professional, prudent and indisputable'.
Details of Allied Drills
The joint exercises that drew China's condemnation involved naval and air assets from the participating nations. The navies of the Philippines, the US, and Japan conducted drills from February 20 to 26, 2026, aimed at strengthening their trilateral defense partnership and interoperability. The Philippine military confirmed that these activities 'underscored the sustained commitment of partner forces to enhance interoperability, reinforce maritime security, and improve Maritime Domain Awareness in the region'.
- Participants and Assets:
- Philippines: Deployed the Antonio Luna frigate, helicopters, and fighter jets.
- Japan: Contributed a P-3 Orion aircraft.
- United States: Sent the guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and a Poseidon plane (P-8A Poseidon reconnaissance aircraft).
These exercises included replenishment at sea, joint air patrols, fly-bys, and communications checks. Additionally, the Philippines had conducted similar exercises with Australia and the US on February 15 and 16. Notably, some of these activities extended beyond the traditional South China Sea area, with patrols over the Bashi Channel and the Philippines' northernmost Batanes islands, north of Luzon.
Broader Context of South China Sea Disputes
The South China Sea is a critical waterway, with China claiming most of its resource-rich expanse, a claim rejected by a 2016 international arbitral award. The recent increase in joint patrols by allied nations is part of a broader effort by the Philippines to assert its rights and maritime entitlements in the face of China's expansive claims and actions. Beijing views these exercises as external interference and a challenge to its sovereignty, vowing to 'resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests'.
5 Comments
Mariposa
Why are outside powers escalating this? It's a regional issue.
Muchacha
China's sovereignty is being challenged. What did they expect?
Bella Ciao
China's warnings reflect its deep-seated belief in its historical claims, however disputed by international law. Yet, the allied patrols are a response to perceived aggression, creating a dangerous cycle of escalating military presence that could have dire consequences, especially for regional trade and stability.
Comandante
While it's important for nations to assert their maritime rights, these continuous military exercises increase the risk of miscalculation. Both sides need to prioritize de-escalation before a minor incident turns into something major.
Mariposa
It's a complex situation where national sovereignty clashes with international maritime norms. While the joint patrols aim to reinforce those norms, there's a fine line between deterrence and outright provocation, which needs careful management to avoid unintended conflict.