The Day After Xi Jinping Returns from the U.S., Chinese Military Holds Joint Naval and Air Exercises in South China Sea

Show of Force Targeted at the Philippines
Warning of Upcoming Live-Fire Exercises

On the day after Chinese President Xi Jinping returned from his state visit to the United States, on September 27 (local time), Chinese military forces conducted military exercises in disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese military announced that it had conducted joint exercises that day in the waters and airspace around Scarborough Shoal (known as Huangyan Dao in China and Bajo de Masinloc in the Philippines) in the South China Sea.

China Conducts Military Exercises in the South China Sea Immediately After Xi Jinping’s Visit to the U.S.
Screenshot from China Central Television (CCTV)

The Southern Theater Command stated that these exercises were "necessary actions in response to individual countries undermining regional peace and stability," adding that the purpose was to "inspect and enhance real combat capabilities to defend territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests."

It also emphasized that the drills focused on real combat training such as reconnaissance and early warning, rapid maneuvering, and joint search and rescue, and stated, "The units of the Southern Theater Command are always maintaining a high level of alert readiness."

The state-run media outlet Global Times, citing experts, reported that these exercises were aimed at the Philippines.

Zhang Zhi, a professor at China National Defense University, commented that this was "a serious warning to the Philippines." He added that the Chinese military will resolutely thwart any attempts by the Philippines to rely on foreign forces or provoke incidents in the South China Sea.

During his visit, before returning to China on the 26th, President Xi said at the U.S.-China summit, "We hope the United States will adhere to the correct position of opposing 'Taiwan independence' and handle the Taiwan issue with caution."

Even during the visit, maritime confrontations continued between the two countries. On September 24, China Coast Guard stated that the Philippines had sent a supply vessel to Second Thomas Shoal (known as Ayungin Shoal in the Philippines and Ren'ai Jiao in China), and that its own coast guard had conducted tracking and issued warnings.

Military tensions are expected to continue for now. The Zhuhai Maritime Safety Administration in Guangdong Province, China, announced that live-fire exercises will be held in parts of the South China Sea on September 28 and 30, and issued a navigation warning prohibiting the entry of vessels.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.