China military says it monitored Philippine patrol in South China Sea

AL-Monitor
Nov 1, 2025
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of a China Coast Guard ship navigating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, August 13, 2025. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of a China Coast Guard ship navigating near the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, August 13, 2025. REUTERS/Adrian Portugal/File Photo — Adrian Portugal

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's military said on Saturday it monitored and tracked a joint patrol organised by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea on October 30 and October 31.

Tian Junli, a spokesperson of the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command, said the joint patrol, with unnamed partners, "seriously undermined regional peace and stability". He called the Philippines "a troublemaker" in the region.

In a statement, Tian said, "The theater forces remain on high alert and will resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

(Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)