'Chinese military on high alert for destabilising activities in South China Sea'

China accuses Philippines of colluding with with countries outside the region to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea

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In the wake of a joint patrol and training conducted by the US and Philippine fighter aircraft in the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, a spokesperson for the Chinese military claimed that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is on high alert for any "destabilising military activities" in the South China sea.

Li Jianjian, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said Philippines has been colluding with countries outside the region to hold "so-called joint patrols" to deliberately undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.

READ MORE: US B-1 bombers, Philippine FA-50 fighter jets hold joint patrols over Scarborough Shoal. A warning to China?

He said PLA Air Force will remain on high alert to defend the territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests of China.

"Any military activities that disrupt the South China Sea are fully under control," news agency Xinhua quoted the spokesperson as saying.

There has been a series of confrontations and aggressive maneuvers by both China and the Philippines in the South China Sea, with both sides accusing each other of harassment.

In recent months, there have been multiple incidents involving collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels.

The joint US-Philippines patrols involving two US Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft and three Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets is the latest flashpoint between the two sides.

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