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.