BEIJING — On Tuesday (April 29), China's navy conducted a patrol in the South China Sea, accusing the Philippines of stirring up "disturbances" and conducting joint patrols with other nations. China, which lays claim to nearly the entire South China Sea, is currently locked in a growing maritime standoff with the Philippines, with both sides asserting sovereignty over overlapping areas.

More than 14,000 troops from the Philippines and the United States are taking part in joint military drills from April 21 to May 9, aimed at testing combat readiness amid shared security concerns in the region. China has labeled these exercises as provocative. In a statement released late Tuesday, the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command said its forces carried out “routine” patrols in the South China Sea that day, though no specific location was mentioned.

“Recently, the Philippines has frequently engaged in maritime provocations, stirred up trouble, and involved non-regional countries in organizing so-called 'joint patrols',” the statement read. The command noted that naval and air units were closely monitoring the situation and staying on alert. “Troops in the region are maintaining high readiness, firmly defending China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, and committed to safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it added. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has yet to respond to requests for comment.