Chinas army says it tracked Philippine patrol in South China Sea

China’s army mentioned on Saturday (November 1, 2025) it monitored and tracked a joint patrol organised by the Philippines within the disputed South China Sea on October 30 and October 31.

Washington and Manila have beefed up army cooperation, unveiling plans on Friday (October 31, 2025) to kind a brand new joint job drive for areas together with the South China Sea, a conduit for greater than $3 trillion of annual ship-borne commerce.

Tian Junli, a spokesperson of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, mentioned the patrol, with unnamed companions, “critically undermined regional peace and stability”.

He referred to as the Philippines “a troublemaker” within the area.

“The theater command forces stay on excessive alert and can resolutely safeguard nationwide territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and pursuits,” Mr. Tian added in an announcement.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing didn’t instantly reply to an emailed request for remark.

The Armed Forces of Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United States held a drill within the South China Sea on October 30 and 31.

The U.S. seventh Fleet mentioned the train aimed to display “a collective dedication to strengthen regional and worldwide cooperation in help of a free and open Indo-Pacific”.

China claims virtually the whole South China Sea, together with elements claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016 the Permanent Court of Arbitration within the Hague dominated that China’s claims weren’t supported by worldwide regulation, a call Beijing rejects.