By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) – The Chinese army on Thursday organized military patrols consisting of its naval and air forces near Huangyan Island, according to the Global Times.
China has enhanced patrols and heightened vigilance in the maritime and airspace areas around the territorial waters of Huangyan Island, said People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command.
Huangyan Island is also known as Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc.
According to a post on X, the reason for increased military presence near the island is to “safeguard national sovereignty and security, while firmly safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea region.”
Earlier, on Feb. 21, Beijing reported another incident over the disputed waters of the South China Sea after two Philippines aircraft had “entered the airspace” of China.
This was the second incident between the two maritime neighbors in days over the disputed waters where China and the Philippines have competing claims.