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Southern Theater Command Spokesperson Issues Statement on the Philippines Enlisting Extra-Regional Countries to Organize So-Called "Joint Patrols"
南部战区新闻发言人就菲律宾拉拢域外国家组织所谓“联合巡航”发表谈话
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Summary
Southern Theater Command spokesperson Senior Captain Zhai Shichen announced on July 26 that PLA naval and air forces conducted routine patrols in the South China Sea, framing the operation as a direct counter to Philippine-organized joint patrols involving extra-regional countries. The statement documents the Southern Theater Command's established practice of pairing its own patrol announcements with condemnations of multilateral maritime activity near disputed features — a rhetorical structure that frames third-country involvement as the destabilizing act rather than PLA presence. What specific platforms were deployed, and which countries' participation prompted the statement, goes unreported.
Translation
Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, stated that on July 26, the PLA Southern Theater Command organized naval and air forces to conduct routine patrols in the South China Sea. The Philippines has enlisted countries from outside the region to organize so-called "joint patrols," stirring up trouble in the South China Sea and undermining regional peace and stability. Theater Command forces will resolutely defend national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.
Original Chinese
南部战区新闻发言人翟士臣海军大校表示，7月26日，中国人民解放军南部战区组织海空力量位南海海域进行例行巡航。菲律宾拉拢域外国家组织所谓“联合巡航”，搅局南海，破坏地区和平稳定。战区部队将坚决捍卫国家领土主权和海洋权益，坚定维护地区和平稳定。 Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command（STC） stated，on July 26, naval and air units of the PLA STC conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea. In an attempt to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to conduct so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the region. Forces of the STC will resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.