The navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted routine patrols from April 9 to 12 in the South China Sea, spokesperson Zhai Shichen said on Monday.

Zhai said the Philippines had rallied extra-regional countries to carry out so-called "joint patrols," stirring up troubles in the South China Sea and undermining peace and stability in the region.

He stressed that forces of the command will resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability.

The new remark comes after a Chinese military spokesperson criticized the Philippines on April 9.

Zhang Xiaogang, the spokesman, said the Philippine side intruded into the airspace over and waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao and the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao. It also deliberately charged into Chinese exercise and training zones and even closed in on Chinese vessels in a dangerous manner, repeatedly committing rights violations and harassing acts, according to Zhang.

Zhang said such moves have increased factors of insecurity and instability in the Asia-Pacific region, and urged the Philippine side to stop counting on external forces to stir up trouble at sea.

(With input from Xinhua)