China on Wednesday announced “routine” military patrols in the South China Sea, following recent clashes between countries in the disputed waterway.
The People’s Liberation Army’s Southern Theater Command said it had “organised naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols” in the sea from January 3 to 4.
The statement did not mention where exactly the patrols would take place or give specific details of their aims.
Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea and has ignored an international tribunal ruling that its assertions have no legal basis.
It deploys boats to patrol the busy waterway and has built artificial islands that it has militarised to reinforce its claims.
Notably, the tensions between China and the Philippines have risen in recent weeks as vessels from both countries have clashed in the contested waters.
Beijing has blamed a more aggressive Philippine policy and warned Manila to “make the rational choice” in response to the incidents.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has vowed not to give in to “coercion”, without mentioning China by name.
