The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army said the patrol activities were “carried out in accordance with the law”.
Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is claimed by both Beijing and Manila and has been effectively controlled by China since an intense stand-off in 2012. It is about 220km (120 nautical miles) west of the main Philippine island Luzon.
It is the second drill around the shoal by the PLA in four months amid continued tensions with Manila.
Tensions have escalated between the two countries in recent years, mainly centred on Scarborough, Second Thomas and Sabina shoals, where there has been a series of confrontations since last year.
On Friday, the Philippines enacted two new laws regarding the disputed waters. One of them, the Maritime Zones Act, recognises much of the Spratlys as Philippine territory and claims waters extending 12 nautical miles (22km) from the baselines of the islands as Manila’s territorial sea.
Visited 1 times, 1 visit(s) today
