PLA Southern Theater spokesman Zhai Shichen, Navy senior colonel, said Aug 21–25
the theater deployed sea and air forces for routine patrols in the South China
Sea. He accused the Philippines of enlisting extra‑regional states to disrupt
the area by organizing so‑called "joint patrols", and said theater forces will
resolutely defend China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and
interests and uphold regional peace and stability.