Ministry of National Defense

BEIJING, Feb. 20 -- According to a statement by the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command, on February 19, the Philippines collaborated with countries outside the region to stir up troubles in the South China Sea by organizing the so-called "joint air patrol" and hyping it up publicly. The PLA Southern Theater Command dispatched its front-line air and naval forces to closely monitor and the situation was fully under control, said the statement, adding that the troops of the Theater Command always remain high alert to resolutely defend China's national sovereignty, security, and maritime rights and interests, and safeguard the peace and stability in the South China Sea.