China conducts naval, air patrols around disputed South China Sea shoal

China has stepped up combat readiness patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in January. - Reuters

BEIJING: China conducted naval and air patrols around the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Saturday (Jan 31), the China Southern Theater Command said.

The shoal is in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, but China also claims it as part of its territory.