China's military and China Coast ‌Guard conducted joint air and naval combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, according to Chinese state media reports.

The drills were conducted in the airspace and waters around the disputed shoal, which China calls Huangyan Dao and the Philippines refers to as Bajo de Masinloc.

The Chinese military described the exercises as a necessary response to actions by "certain countries" that it claimed were undermining regional peace and stability. It also rejected what it called the Philippines' "so-called territorial sea baselines" around Huangyan Dao, calling them "illegal and invalid."

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Beijing said the drills were aimed at testing and improving the combat readiness of its forces to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights.

Separately, China announced a new policy for the administration of the Huangyan Island National Nature Reserve, established in September 2025, banning unauthorised fishing, mining, coral and giant clam extraction, and other activities deemed harmful to the protected area.

According to Xinhua, violators will face legal action, while the China Coast Guard will conduct regular patrols to enforce the restrictions. State broadcaster CCTV reported that the coast guard also carried out a rights-protection and law enforcement drill near the shoal on Saturday and said it would strengthen law enforcement and control measures in the surrounding waters.