China says PH 'stirs up trouble' in South China Sea with joint air patrol

China's military said the Philippines has "stirred up trouble" in the South China Sea by conducting a joint air patrol with "extraterritorial countries" and then openly hyping it up.

China's Southern Theater Command said it organized front-line naval and air forces to closely monitor the Philippines' joint air patrol on Monday, and that troops "maintained a high degree of vigilance to resolutely defend national sovereignty."

On Monday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the United States Pacific Air Force (PACAF) held a joint patrol over the West Philippines Sea (WPS) as part of their 3rd Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA).

In a statement, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said three PAF FA-50s accompanied a B-52H bomber aircraft of PACAF from the west of Ilocos Sur to Mindoro Strait. 

“It is the air component of the said activity that demonstrates the commitment of both armed forces to enhancing interoperability and advancing regional peace and security in the Indo-Pacific,” the AFP said.

“It also further strengthens the capability of the AFP to perform its mandate and maintain its presence over the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” it added.

In a separate statement, the PAF said the activity was Phase 2 of the 3rd MCA covering areas 90 nautical miles west of Candon, Ilocos Sur and 50 nautical miles northwest of Lubang, Mindoro. —with GMA Integrated News