China's Navy conducted a South China Sea patrol on Tuesday. It claimed that the Philippines was creating "disturbances", and conducting its own patrols in conjunction with other countries.

China, which claims nearly the entire South China Sea, is involved in a tense standoff with the Philippines over the water there as both try to assert their claims of sovereignty.

Over 14,000 Filipinos and U.S. troops are taking part in joint exercises that run from April 21 to May 9. The exercise is a "full-battle test" against shared security concerns in the region. China has called the drills provocative.

In a late-night statement on Tuesday, China's People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command said that its forces had carried out "routine patrols" in the South China Sea the same day, without specifying an exact location.

In a recent statement, it stated that the Philippines had been committing maritime infractions, creating disruptions, and enlisting countries outside of the region to organize so-called "joint patrols".

It added that the command's air and naval forces had monitored the situation, and remained vigilant.

"Troops on the theater of operations maintain a high alert level, resolutely protecting the country's sovereignty, maritime rights, and interests and resolutely safeguarding the peace and stability of the South China Sea Region."

The Philippine Embassy did not respond immediately to a request for comment. Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; writing by Ben Blanchard, editing by Christopher Cushing

(source: Reuters)