China conducts military exercises around disputed shoal in South China Sea

China’s military conducted a joint naval and air training exercise around a disputed shoal in the South China Sea, it said on Sunday.

The training was held in the waters and airspace around the Scarborough Shoal, which ​China calls Huangyan Dao. It is also claimed by the Philippines, where ​it is known as Bajo de Masinloc.

The People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, in a statement on WeChat, described the operation as ⁠a necessary response to actions by “certain countries” it said had undermined regional ​peace and stability.

The Chinese military said the training “aims to test and enhance combat capabilities in safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing ​did not immediately respond to a request for comment.