CHINA – The Chinese military on Saturday conducted combat readiness drills in South China Sea, according to local reports.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) organized naval and air forces to conduct a combat readiness patrol in the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas, Global Times reported.

Huangyan Dao, the disputed territory, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, in the South China Sea, is also claimed by the Philippines.

The shoal has long been a flashpoint in the maritime disputes between Beijing and Manila.

“Since January, the theater command has continuously strengthened naval and air patrols in the waters and airspace around the island, resolutely countering provocations and infringements by individual countries in the region, firmly safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and security, and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the state-run media said.

A video released by the Chinese military shows that its H-6K bomber, armed with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles, and the Type 055 large destroyer Xianyang, among other warplanes and warships, took part in the drills.

The latest drills come a day after the Chinese Defense Ministry said last week that two senior military officials, Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli, a member of the CMC and chief of staff of the CMC Joint Staff Department, have been investigated.

Led by President Xi Jinping, the commission is responsible for the overall capability and the operational preparedness of the Chinese military.