PLA conducts joint naval-air exercise around China's Huangyan Dao

Naval and air units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted a joint training exercise in the waters and airspace around China's Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea on Sunday.

A statement from the command said the exercise was a necessary operation in response to actions by certain countries that have undermined regional peace and stability.

The training exercise aims to test and enhance the forces' combat capabilities in safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the statement said.

China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands), consisting of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). China has historic rights in the South China Sea.

China also has internal waters, a territorial sea, a contiguous zone, an exclusive economic zone and a continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao.

Nanhai Zhudao have long been widely recognized by the international community as part of China's territory.

(Cover: China Coast Guard conducts drills on rights-protection law enforcement, as well as management and control, in the waters near China's Huangyan Dao, August 1, 2026. /CMG)