Tensions rise between China and Philippines: They conduct military drills near disputed reefs

China announced on Wednesday that it was conducting military combat exercises near Scarborough Atoll in the sea to test its “strike capabilities”. South ChinaThe Philippines is at the center of the claims conflict.

The maneuvers come as the Philippines conducts two days of joint sea and air exercises USA, Canada and Australia.

China has “organized a joint combat patrol at sea and air near Huangyan Island,” the Chinese military's Southern Command said in a statement.

The maneuvers are aimed at testing the reconnaissance and early warning capabilities of its troops.

Beijing claims sovereignty over almost the entire sea South ChinaIn dispute with several coastal states, despite an international ruling rejecting their claims.

Scarborough Atoll is located 240 km west of Luzon, the main island of the Philippines, and nearly 900 km from mainland China.

In 2012, China used its coast guard vessels to control the chain of atolls, reefs and chains that form an area rich in fishing resources and historically used as a resting place by Filipino fishermen.

Beijing typically uses its coast guard to assert its claims in the South China Sea.

Chinese armed forces have been deployed near Scarborough Atoll in the past, but an analyst said AFP Wednesday's maneuvers are proof that “they've gotten too aggressive.”

“It was done to intimidate”Manila-based Director of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea Jay Padongpagal said.

“It was definitely sending a message, showing strength.” he added.

In recent months, there has been an increase in maritime conflicts between Chinese and Philippine ships. South ChinaIn the Spratly Islands, even in the vicinity of a warship that ran aground years ago by Manila on Ayung's sandbar.

One of the most serious incidents occurred in June, when Chinese sailors armed with machetes and axes boarded Philippine naval vessels close to the reef.

The Philippine military said one of its sailors lost a thumb in a clash with the Chinese coast guard, which it said confiscated or destroyed Philippine equipment, including weapons.

Beijing accuses Manila of escalation and defends the legitimacy of its actions to defend its territorial claims.

In recent weeks the two countries reached an “interim understanding” that allows Philippine soldiers to redeploy to the Ayung's sandbar while increasing communications to resolve their disputes in the South China Sea.

(With information from AFP)