The People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea from Monday to Thursday, a military spokesperson said on Friday.

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The patrols were carried out by the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command, the command's spokesperson Zhai Shichen said in a statement, criticizing the Philippines for "courting countries outside the region" to organize so-called joint patrols and for "stirring up trouble" in the South China Sea, saying such moves undermined regional peace and stability.

He added that the Southern Theater Command will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, while firmly upholding peace and stability in the region.