Chinese military says it patrolled the South China Sea, responding to US drills with allies

(Patria) - The Chinese military said on Sunday that it conducted air and sea patrols and that all activities that "disrupt the South China Sea" are under control, an apparent response to naval exercises by the United States and its allies, AP reported.

The defense chiefs of the United States, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines announced on Saturday that they would hold joint maritime exercises to protect the rule of law and support the right to navigate and fly over the seas.

China has long-standing territorial disputes with several Southeast Asian countries in the South China Sea, a major shipping route. Conflicts with the Philippines, in particular, have flared up since last year.

The US has conducted joint patrols with the Philippines in a show of support. China says the US is fueling tensions by interfering in disputes.

A brief statement from the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military said it had organized patrols and that "all military activities that disrupt the South China Sea and create hotspots are under control".

The statement did not mention the United States or the joint exercises.

Likewise, the US and its allies did not mention China in their statement, but the four countries reaffirmed their position that the 2016 international arbitration ruling, which nullified China's expansive claims in the South China Sea, is final and legally binding.

Rising tensions in the disputed waters are expected to be on the agenda when US President Joe Biden hosts his Japanese and Philippine counterparts at the White House this week.