Beijing stages ‘combat readiness’ patrols at Scarborough Shoal in disputed South China Sea

China carried out fresh naval and air patrols around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, in a move likely to heighten tensions with the Philippines and its treaty ally, the United States.

China’s Southern Theater Command said warships and military aircraft conducted "combat readiness" patrols around Scarborough Shoal on Saturday, framing the operation as a response to what it called "infringement provocations of individual countries within the region."




According to the state media, a video released by the PLA Southern Theater Command shows an H-6K bomber equipped with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles and the Type 055 large destroyer Xianyang, alongside other PLA warplanes and warships.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately comment on the latest Chinese activity.

The patrols come just days after the armed forces of the Philippines and the United States held joint drills in waters near Scarborough Shoal, their 11th such exercise in the broader area since November 2023, underscoring deepening defence cooperation between Manila and Washington.

The latest naval mission fits into a broader pattern of stepped‑up Chinese military and coast guard patrols around Scarborough Shoal over the past year. Chinese statements have repeatedly described these as measures to "firmly protect sovereignty, maritime rights and interests" and to counter what Beijing sees as growing "provocations" by regional states and extra‑regional powers such as the United States.

China seized de facto control of access to the Scarborough Shoal after a tense stand‑off with Philippine vessels in 2012 and has since maintained a near‑continuous coast guard and maritime militia presence in the area.

Past patrols have sometimes followed incidents involving Philippine resupply or law‑enforcement missions near the shoal, including collisions, water‑cannon use, and accusations from Manila that Chinese vessels were engaging in dangerous manoeuvres against smaller Philippine boats.