China and U.S.-Philippine Forces Conduct Parallel Operations Near Scarborough Shoal

-Philippine drills in the South China Sea over the weekend, Newsweek reported. The exercises took place less than 60 miles from Scarborough Shoal, a fishing ground China took control of from the Philippines in 2012. The drills included search-and-rescue exercises, ship maneuvers, and information-sharing drills.

They involved U.S. Coast Guard vessels, Philippine coast guard ships, and Philippine navy ships. The weekend exercise was the eighth maritime cooperative activity conducted in 2026, with the United States beginning participation in 2023.

Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army's Southern Command, stated on Monday that China's patrols were routine. He said the Philippines has been colluding with countries outside the region and undermining peace and stability in the South China Sea, adding that the Southern Command would resolutely defend China's sovereignty and maritime rights. The U.S.

Navy's Japan-based 7th Fleet stated that the activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Philippine coast guard issued a statement on Monday reaffirming support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. A collision occurred at Scarborough Shoal in 2025.

China later declared a nature reserve over much of the shoal and placed a floating platform and other objects inside the lagoon, which Philippine officials said violated Philippine sovereignty. China stated that the floating platform was a temporary scientific research facility. Newsweek contacted the Philippine military and the Pentagon for comment via email.