China Conducts Live-Fire Drills as US-Philippines Carry Out Joint Patrols in South China Sea

Tensions rise as China criticizes Manila for involving 'external forces' in disputed waters, while diplomatic efforts to reduce confrontations are underway.

• China conducted two one-day live-fire drills in the South China Sea while the US and the Philippine navies carried out joint sea and air patrols.
• The Chinese Maritime Safety Administration announced two no-entry zones in waters near Hainan island due to the Chinese navy's 'military training' and 'live-fire shooting exercises'.
• The US-Philippine joint patrol was conducted far from Hainan, but China's Southern Theatre Command criticized Manila for 'co-opting external forces' into the disputed waters.
• Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ways to reduce tensions in the South China Sea following a series of confrontations between ships from the two countries.
• China claims most of the South China Sea, which is contested by the Philippines as well as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

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