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US-Philippine Drills Near Scarborough Shoal Prompt Chinese Naval Response
The People’s Liberation Army dispatched ships and aircraft to the South China Sea following a joint US-Philippine exercise 50 nautical miles from the disputed shoal. Manila reported four Chinese vessels monitored the activity conducted over the weekend.
South China Morning PostAudio version
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The People’s Liberation Army dispatched vessels and aircraft to the South China Sea after a joint US-Philippine maritime drill near Scarborough Shoal, South China Morning Post reported. The exercise ran from Saturday to Sunday and involved the US Coast Guard cutters Charles Moulthrope and Emlen Tunnell along with Philippine navy and coast guard ships.
Manila stated that four Chinese vessels monitored the bilateral maritime cooperation activity, which took place 50 nautical miles from the atoll, South China Morning Post reported.
Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN identified one vessel as a Type 054B guided-missile frigate with bow number 555 and noted three coast guard ships also followed the drills. The Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna and coast guard vessels BRP Melchora Aquino and BRP Capones participated in the exercise. A rare stand-off between Chinese and Philippine navies occurred near the shoal one week earlier.
The PLA statement followed Manila’s account by one day and said the drills undermined regional stability while vowing to safeguard territorial sovereignty, South China Morning Post reported.
