PLA conducts joint naval-air training exercise at Huangyan Dao

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted a joint naval-air training exercise in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Saturday, said an official statement.

The theater command noted in the statement that it is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the acts of certain countries within the region that have undermined regional peace and stability.

The training exercise aims to test and enhance the forces' real combat capabilities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the theater command added.

In the statement, the command reiterated that Huangyan Dao is an inalienable part of China's territory, adding that the Philippines' designation of a so-called baseline of the territorial sea around Huangyan Dao is illegal and void.

The Southern Theater Command forces remain on high alert at all times to resolutely safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, it added.

(With input from Xinhua)