China’s military said on Saturday (Nov 1) that it had closely monitored and tracked a joint maritime patrol organised by the Philippines and its partners in the disputed South China Sea, accusing Manila of heightening regional tensions and threatening peace.
According to the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, the patrol, which took place on October 30 and 31, “seriously undermined regional peace and stability.” The command did not specify which countries participated but described the Philippines as “a troublemaker” for involving external powers in what Beijing considers its sovereign waters.
Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said in a statement that Chinese forces “remained on high alert and will resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.” Tian’s remarks reflect Beijing’s growing frustration over what it views as U.S.-backed efforts to challenge its claims across the South China Sea.
The comments came a day after Washington and Manila announced plans to establish a new joint task force focused on regional security cooperation, including the South China Sea — a strategic waterway through which more than US$3 trillion in global trade passes annually. The move underscores the deepening defense ties between the two longtime allies amid escalating tensions with China.
The Philippines confirmed that the recent maritime exercise involved forces from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. The two-day drill, conducted within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ), focused on enhancing coordination, maritime surveillance, and joint response capabilities among participating navies.
The U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement that the exercise was aimed at demonstrating “a collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.” The joint operation, according to U.S. officials, reaffirmed the shared resolve of regional allies to uphold international law and freedom of navigation.
While the Philippine military has not yet formally responded to China’s latest accusations, officials in Manila have consistently maintained that such patrols are legitimate activities within the country’s EEZ, as defined by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea through its “nine-dash line,” a demarcation that cuts deep into the maritime zones of several Southeast Asian nations — including the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Indonesia.
In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled that Beijing’s expansive claims had no basis under international law and that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights within its EEZ. Beijing rejected the ruling and has since continued its military buildup in the area, constructing artificial islands and deploying coast guard and militia vessels to enforce its claims.
In recent years, the Philippines has repeatedly accused China of harassment and aggressive maneuvers, including the use of water cannons and laser devices against Filipino vessels near disputed features such as Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal.
The latest joint patrol follows months of rising tension between Beijing and Manila, as Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has sought to strengthen defense ties with Western allies and regional partners to counter Chinese assertiveness.
The decision by Washington and Manila to launch a new joint task force marks another step in their evolving military partnership. The initiative will reportedly focus on joint maritime domain awareness, intelligence sharing, and rapid response coordination — particularly in contested areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
U.S. defense officials view the task force as part of a broader Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at deterring coercive behavior by China and ensuring that maritime disputes are resolved peacefully in accordance with international law.
Australia and New Zealand’s participation in the latest drills also signals a growing regional alignment behind the concept of a “free and open Indo-Pacific,” championed by the United States and Japan. Analysts say the inclusion of Oceania partners reflects an expanding network of maritime cooperation designed to counterbalance China’s influence.
China’s harsh response highlights the continued volatility of the South China Sea dispute, one of Asia’s most dangerous flashpoints. Beijing has consistently opposed any multilateral patrols or military cooperation that it perceives as containment efforts.
“The more the Philippines allows external forces to meddle in regional affairs, the greater the instability it will bring upon itself,” Tian Junli warned in his statement.
Despite China’s objections, the Philippines and its partners appear determined to continue asserting their rights under international law. Analysts believe that as both sides step up their military activities, the risk of accidental confrontation will remain high.
The competing narratives — of “troublemaking” versus “freedom of navigation” — reflect the deep divide shaping Asia’s maritime future. With Beijing showing no signs of compromise and Washington reaffirming its defense commitments to Manila, the South China Sea is likely to remain a central arena of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.
