China holds air and naval drills in South China Sea

• The drills were held in the ​airspace and territorial waters around the shoal, which China calls Huangyan Dao.


• Chinese military described the exercise ​as a necessary response to actions ​by "certain countries" it said were undermining regional peace and ‌stability. ⁠It did not name any countries, but the Scarborough Shoal is also claimed by the Philippines, where it is known ​as Bajo de ​Masinloc.


• The ⁠Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request ​for comment about the Chinese ​military ⁠exercises.


• The exercise was aimed at testing and improving the combat readiness of China's forces ⁠to ​defend national territorial sovereignty ​and maritime rights, the Chinese military said.

 -Reuters