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BEIJING: China conducted military and coast guard drills on Saturday near the Scarborough Shoal, a contested reef in the South China Sea, in a show of force after recent clashes with the Philippines in the disputed waters.
China conducted “a joint naval-air training exercise” near the reef on Saturday, a spokesperson from the army’s Southern Theatre Command said.
“This is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the acts of certain countries within the region that have undermined regional peace and stability,” the spokesperson said.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired footage of two warships patrolling the seas and a plane taking off from an airport to the soundtrack of patriotic pop music.
