Chinese Military Boosts Combat Readiness in South China Sea

The Chinese military extended combat readiness patrols in the South China Sea, according to state media. The patrols, aimed at enhancing combat capabilities and maintaining regional stability, follow rare military drills over the weekend. China continues to assert its extensive territorial claims despite international disputes.

The Chinese military extended combat readiness patrols in parts of the South China Sea from Monday to Tuesday, as reported by Chinese state media. The move follows a set of rare military drills and exercises conducted in the region over the weekend.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) spearheaded the patrols, aiming to bolster combat capabilities and ensure peace and stability in the area, state media sources confirmed.

China maintains expansive territorial claims over the South China Sea, conflicting with overlapping claims by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Notably, a 2016 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague rejected China's claims, a decision Beijing continues to disregard.

(With inputs from agencies.)