US, Australia, and Philippines hold South China Sea drills, second this year

Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for China's Southern Theatre Command (STC), said in a statement on Monday that the Chinese Navy conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea over the same four days the drills were held.

"In an attempt to stir up troubles in the region, the Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organise so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the South China Sea," Zhai said.

"Forces of the STC will resolutely safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability."

Beijing has routinely opposed Manila's joint military activities with its allied partners in the South China Sea, saying such drills heighten tensions in the region.

(Reporting by Nestor Corrales, additional reporting by Beijing Newsroom and Jessie Pang in Hong Kong; Editing by Kevin Buckland)