China conducts air, naval drills around disputed Scarborough Shoal in South China Sea

China's military on Saturday carried out joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, saying the exercises were aimed at testing combat readiness and safeguarding the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, according to Reuters.The drills were conducted in the airspace and waters surrounding the shoal, known as Huangyan Dao in China and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines.China cites threats to regional stabilityIn a statement, the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command described the exercises as a necessary response to actions by "certain countries" that it said were undermining peace and stability in the region.The Chinese military did not identify any country by name. However, Scarborough Shoal is also claimed by the Philippines, making it one of the long-running flashpoints in the South China Sea.China said the exercises were intended to test and improve the combat readiness of its forces and enhance their capability to defend national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.China tightens control over nature reserveSeparately, China announced a new policy for administering the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, which was established in September 2025, according to state-run Xinhua.Under the new regulations, unauthorised fishing, mining, extraction of coral or giant clams, and other activities deemed harmful within the reserve will be prohibited.Authorities said violators would be held legally accountable.Coast Guard steps up patrolsChina also announced additional law enforcement measures around the disputed waters.According to Xinhua, the China Coast Guard will conduct regular patrols around the nature reserve to crack down on illegal activities.Separately, state broadcaster CCTV reported that the China Coast Guard carried out a rights-protection and law enforcement exercise near Huangyan Island on Saturday.The Coast Guard said it would further strengthen law enforcement and control measures in the waters surrounding the disputed shoalThe latest military and coast guard activities come amid continuing tensions in the South China Sea, where China and the Philippines have competing territorial claims over Scarborough Shoal.