Chinese aircraft carrier holds war exercises in South China Sea, Philippin

Beijing/Manila: Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong held war exercises along with its fleet of destroyers in the South China Sea. The Chinese Navy announced that this exercise was for the security of sovereignty of the country, and such exercises will also be held even in the future. The Philippines has reacted to the practices held by the Chinese ships. The Philippines accused that the activities of the Chinese Navy in the Philippines marine region are a threat to the maritime security of the country. The Filipino defence department emphasised that patrolling by the Philippines Navy will continue in the country’s marine region.

As per the information published by the People’s Liberation Army, Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong participated in the exercises held in the South China Sea. Gao Xiucheng, the spokesman of the Chinese Navy, claimed, ‘This exercise is a part of an annual Chinese program. The exercise was held for testing the capability of the Navy in respect of the sovereignty and security of the country, and the concerned exercise was completely legal.’

‘This exercise was necessary to maintain the peace and stability in the South China Sea. The international community also needs to have an unbiased and practical outlook regarding the practice. Gao warned that the Chinese Navy would continue to hold such exercises in the future. Even in the last month, China had announced that it would be holding huge war exercises in the South China Sea. The movements of the US Navy have increased in this region. Chinese, as well as international media, are claiming that China, restless with the deployment of the US naval ships in the sector, has tried to issue a warning to the United States with these exercises. The Biden administration in the United States has not reacted to the Chinese practices. But the Philippines lashed out at the increasing movements of the Chinese Navy and coast guard.

The activities of the Chinese ships in the marine region near the Pag-asa and Bajo de Masinloc island groups in the Filipino maritime region are a cause for concern. The Philippines foreign ministry criticised that the strategic movements of the Chinese ships in this region are threatening the sovereignty of the Philippines. The Philippines appealed that China should abide by the international regulations.

On the other hand, the Filipino defence ministry has adopted a tough stand. The Filipino defence department announced that the patrolling on the militia ships that have intruded in the Philippines marine region would continue. China had claimed that the boats were well within its marine area. At the same time, China had threatened the Philippines to stop the patrolling in this sector. But the Filipino defence ministry announced that it would not bow in front of the Chinese threats.