China says joint US-Philippines patrol 'bid to undermine peace, stability in South China Sea'
China’s air force alert, protecting Beijing’s territorial sovereignty, maritime rights, says official

ISTANBUL
China Tuesday said the Philippines conducted a “joint patrol” with the US in a bid to “undermine peace and stability” in the South China Sea, Global Times reported.
The remarks by Chinese Air Force spokesman Senior Col. Li Jianjian came amid a routine Chinese patrol of the airspace over Huangyan Dao, an area in the South China Sea highly contested between China and the Philippines.
Earlier, the Philippine Air Force said the US and Philippines forces were conducting a “joint patrol” over territories in the South China Sea on Tuesday, according to Global Times.
Li also said that Chinese air force units remained highly alert and firmly protected the country's “territorial sovereignty” and “maritime rights and interests."
He concluded that military efforts to destabilize the South China Sea are being effectively managed.
The Philippines and the US also held joint patrols in the disputed South China Sea last year.
Territorial disputes in the South China Sea involve conflicting island and maritime claims in the region by several sovereign states, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.