China flexes its naval muscle once more in the contested South China Sea. The PLA Southern Theater Command’s Navy undertook regular patrols from February 23 through 26 in strategic sea zones. Navy Colonel Chai Xichen, the command’s voice, confirmed the activities on February 27.
Triggering the emphasis? The Philippines’ ‘joint cruise’ with external backers, slammed by China as a trouble-stirring scheme. ‘These provocations inflict serious harm on regional peace and stability,’ Chai remarked.
No backing down: PLA troops are duty-bound to shield national sovereignty, ocean rights, and vital interests, alongside fostering calm. These aren’t one-offs; they’re the new normal in Beijing’s maritime playbook.
Geopolitics simmers here, with artificial islands, fishing disputes, and warship tailing. U.S. allies cheer Manila’s boldness, but China counters with steel. Patrols like these test endurance, project power, and probe intentions.
Beyond bravado, real risks lurk—miscalculations could cascade. Yet China frames its actions as defensive, essential for a rules-based order on its terms. As patrols wrap, the sea stays watchful, a mirror to broader Indo-Pacific rivalries.