PLA conducts routine patrols in South China Sea

The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea over the weekend, a spokesman has said.

In a statement issued on Monday morning, Zhai Shichen, spokesman for the theater command, said naval and air forces carried out routine patrols around the sea between Saturday and Sunday.

According to Zhai, the Philippines has stirred up trouble in the South China Sea, undermining regional peace and stability, by roping in extra-regional countries to conduct so-called joint patrols.

The Southern Theater Command will resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly maintain regional peace and stability, Zhai added.