China conducts naval, air exercise around Scarborough Shoal

<p>SHANGHAI - China's military conducted a joint naval and air training exercise around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, it said on Sunday.</p><p>The training was held in the waters and airspace around the Scarborough Shoal, which ​China calls Huangyan Dao. It is also claimed by the Philippines, where ​it is known as Bajo de Masinloc.</p><p>The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, in a statement on WeChat, described the operation as ⁠a necessary response to actions by "certain countries" it said had undermined regional ​peace and stability.</p><p>The Chinese military said the training "aims to test and enhance combat capabilities in safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests".</p><p>The Philippine Embassy in Beijing ​did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Chinese ​military training around the shoal.</p><p>GMA News Online asked Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesperson for the West Philippine Sea Rear Admiral Jay Tarriela for…