The Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army organized a joint patrol on Wednesday in waters and air near the Huangyan Island in the South China Sea, according to the command.

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The command said in a brief statement that the operation was intended to test its forces' capability to carry out reconnaissance, early warnings, rapid deployments and joint strikes, noting that it has been closely monitoring all foreign military activities aiming to make trouble, create tensions and jeopardize peace and stability in the region.

The command did not disclose details about the operation.