Pakistan, Aug. 1 -- China's military conducted joint naval and air combat drills around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, the People's Liberation Army said. The exercise focused on improving combat readiness and protecting maritime interests. The move comes amid ongoing territorial disputes in the region.

The PLA Southern Theater Command said the drills took place in the airspace and waters surrounding the shoal. China refers to the area as Huangyan Dao, while the Philippines calls it Bajo de Masinloc. Beijing described the exercise as a response to actions threatening regional stability.

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The Chinese military did not identify the countries involved in the statem...