China and the Philippines engage in a "response" regarding the South China Sea.

Recently, China and the Philippines exchanged heated words regarding Manila's patrol activities in the South China Sea.

The Philippine Air Force and the U.S. Indo- Pacific Command participated in a joint maritime cooperation operation in the South China Sea in November 2023. (Source: Reuters)

On February 20, Reuters reported that the Chinese military accused the Philippines of "causing trouble" in the South China Sea through aerial patrols with "outsider countries" and then publicly exaggerating the issue.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army announced that it had deployed frontline naval and air forces to closely monitor the joint air patrol by the Philippines on February 19.

According to the ministry, Chinese forces "maintain a high level of vigilance and resolutely defend national sovereignty ."

On February 19, Philippine fighter jets and US bombers conducted joint patrols in the South China Sea, more than a week after the two navies held joint exercises at sea amid tensions over territorial claims in the region.

In response to Beijing's accusations, on the same day, the head of the Philippine military's public affairs office, Xerxes Trinidad, stated that the joint air patrols between the Philippines and the United States are aimed at protecting territorial integrity and national interests in the South China Sea.

Mr. Trinidad stated: "This operation aims to enhance the interoperability of the armed forces and improve the capabilities of our air force in carrying out missions."

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/trung-quoc-philippines-doi-dap-ve-bien-dong-261447.html