China carries out patrols around Huangyan and Diaoyu islands

China used its armed forces on Thursday to carry out patrols around Huangyan Island in the South China Sea and Diaoyu Island in the East China Sea.

The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army organized its naval and air forces to conduct combat-readiness patrols in the territorial waters, air space, and surrounding areas of Huangyan Island on the day, according to a brief news release from the command.

Throughout June, the PLA command has continued to intensify patrols in the region, reinforcing its control over the airspace and waters to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security, as well as to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, it stated.

On the same day, the China Coast Guard said its ships conducted patrols in the territorial waters surrounding Diaoyu Island, adding that this move was part of the service's rights protection patrol arrangement.