The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command carried out naval and air combat readiness patrols in the South China Sea over the weekend of February 15-16, 2026, state-run media reported on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. The drills, described as routine but framed in the context of heightened regional tensions, come shortly after multilateral maritime activities involving the Philippines, the United States, and Australia in disputed waters.
According to Xinhua News Agency and other official Chinese outlets, the patrols involved naval vessels and aircraft operating in the territorial waters of the South China Sea from Sunday to Monday. Spokesperson Senior Captain Zhai Shichen of the PLA Southern Theater Command issued a statement criticizing external involvement in the region.
"The Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize the so-called joint patrols, which had undermined peace and stability in the region," Zhai said. He emphasized that forces under the theater command would "resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests" while "firmly upholding regional peace and stability."
The announcement follows a pattern of regular PLA patrols in the area. Earlier in February 2026 (from February 2 to 6), the Southern Theater Command conducted similar naval and air patrols, also citing Philippine "collusion" with external partners as disruptive. These activities are part of Beijing's broader strategy to assert its claims over nearly the entire South China Sea, including features within the exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of neighboring countries like the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei.
The patrols coincide with recent multilateral maritime cooperative activities (MMCA) by the Philippines, United States, and Australia. The 14th PH-AUS-US MMCA took place on February 15-16, 2026, in the West Philippine Sea (Manila's term for portions of the South China Sea within its EEZ). The exercise involved communication drills, maritime domain awareness operations, sector-based tactics, photo exercises, at-sea replenishment, and other interoperability training. Philippine forces deployed assets including the BRP Diego Silang frigate and AW109 helicopters, underscoring Manila's push for enhanced security cooperation with allies to counter perceived coercion.
China views such joint patrols and exercises—often involving the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command—as provocative and aimed at containing its influence. Beijing has repeatedly accused Manila of escalating tensions through increased military ties with Washington and other partners, including under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and mutual defense treaty commitments.
Tensions in the South China Sea have persisted for years, fueled by overlapping claims, incidents involving coast guard vessels (such as water cannon use, blocking maneuvers, and collisions), and differing interpretations of international law. China rejects the 2016 arbitral tribunal ruling favoring the Philippines, insisting on its "nine-dash line" (or ten-dash line in recent maps) historical claims. The Philippines maintains that its activities uphold freedom of navigation and international law under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Last month, the PLA also held combat readiness drills with warplanes and warships in the disputed waters, signaling continued military vigilance. Analysts note that these patrols serve dual purposes: demonstrating readiness and sending deterrent signals amid ongoing diplomatic friction.
No immediate incidents were reported during the latest patrols, but the exchanges highlight the fragile security environment in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors. The South China Sea handles trillions in annual trade and contains rich fisheries and potential energy resources, making stability critical for regional and global economies.
Both sides have called for de-escalation through dialogue, though progress remains limited. The Philippines continues to pursue multilateral approaches, while China emphasizes bilateral negotiations and its sovereignty assertions.
As patrols and cooperative activities persist, the situation underscores the need for mechanisms to manage risks and prevent miscalculations in this strategic waterway.
