https://sputnikglobe.com/20260808/china-hits-back-at-philippine-territorial-claims-with-naval-drills-1124550090.htmlChina Hits Back at Philippine Territorial Claims With Naval DrillsChina Hits Back at Philippine Territorial Claims With Naval DrillsSputnik InternationalChinese military exercises near Huangyan Dao in South China Sea are a direct response to the Philippines' provocations and a legitimate measure to safeguard the country's sovereignty, Chen Xi, spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said on Friday. 2026-08-08T03:57+00002026-08-08T03:57+00002026-08-08T03:57+0000worldchinaphilippinessouth china seapeople's liberation army (pla) navyhttps://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/08/0e/1112579103_0:245:3072:1973_1920x0_80_0_0_3637e8beecd46247426ff18af3ac5078.jpgThe Philippines' actions are "illegal, null and void," Chen added, accusing the country of expanding its territorial claims through domestic legislation over decades.The drills were conducted by the PLA Southern Theater Command in the territorial waters and airspace around the shoal, with the coast guard also deployed for law-enforcement training in the surrounding waters. https://sputnikglobe.com/20260808/chinese-mfa-blasts-japans-nuclear-ambitions-as-playing-with-fire-1124549797.htmlchinaphilippinessouth china seaSputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ 252 602026Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ 252 60Newsen_ENSputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ 252 601920 1080 true1920 1440 true1920 1920 trueSputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“ 252 60Sputnik Internationalchina, philippines, south china sea, people's liberation army (pla) navy