China says Philippines enlists foreign force to stir trouble in South China Sea

Aircraft of the Philippine Air Force and the US Indo-Pacific Command participate in the joint Philippines-US Maritime Cooperative Activity in the vicinity of Batanes and an area of the South China Sea that falls within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines on Nov 21, 2023. - Reuters

BEIJING/MANILA: The Philippines has enlisted "foreign forces" to patrol the South China Sea and has been stirring up trouble, China's military said on Thursday (Nov 23), referring to joint patrols this week by Philippine and US forces.

The Chinese military will maintain high vigilance, resolutely defend sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and resolutely safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, China's military said.