The Chinese army is on alert after monitoring a joint patrol in the South China Sea news

The Chinese army announced on Saturday that its forces were on high alert after monitoring a joint patrol organized by the Philippines in the disputed South China Sea on October 30 and 31.

The Chinese army said it had monitored and tracked the joint patrol in the past two days.

He added that the joint patrol, with unnamed partners, “seriously undermined regional peace and stability,” describing the Philippines as a “troublemaker” in the region.

He stressed that the Southern Command forces are still on high alert, and will “firmly protect national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests,” according to his description.

It is noteworthy that Washington and Manila have strengthened military cooperation, as they revealed plans yesterday, Friday, to form a new joint task force in areas including the South China Sea, a corridor through which trade worth more than $3 trillion passes annually.

Forces from Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, and the United States conducted exercises in the South China Sea on October 30 and 31.

The US Seventh Fleet said that the maneuvers aim to demonstrate “a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation to support the freedom and openness of the Indo-Pacific region.”

China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including parts claimed by Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in 2016 that China’s claims were not supported by international law, a decision rejected by Beijing.