China’s navy conducted a “routine patrol” in the contested waters of the South China Sea as “deterrence” on the same day it hosted a massive military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II.
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The patrol on Wednesday took place days after Australia and the Philippines concluded Exercise Alon, their largest-ever joint drill which ran from August 15 to 29. A Canadian frigate also took part in the exercise, while several countries, including the United States, sent observers.
“Any attempt to stir up trouble or create tensions in the South China Sea will never succeed”, China’s Southern Theatre Command spokesman Senior Colonel Tian Junli said, according to a statement on Thursday.
He said the theatre forces “remain on high alert at all times, determined to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests”.
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Chinese fighter jet flies close to Philippine plane over disputed shoal in South China Sea, Manila says
Chinese fighter jet flies close to Philippine plane over disputed shoal in South China Sea, Manila says
The reiterated pledge came as China capped a busy week of grand diplomacy, including its massive military parade in the heart of the Chinese capital and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin attended by dozens of state leaders and drawing global attention.
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