Beijing had a “rich and powerful” toolkit to use against those who “make waves” in the South China Sea, China’s military mouthpiece warned on Sunday, following efforts by Manila to map out its claim to a disputed shoal.
The PLA Daily warning came a day after the Chinese military mounted joint naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal, a contested group of low-lying rocky islets known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines.
“We also issue a stern warning to forces seeking to stir up trouble and make waves in the South China Sea: when it comes to safeguarding peace and stability there, the options in China’s toolbox are rich and powerful,” said the article published under the pen name Jun Sheng, or “Voice of the Military”.
“Any malicious attempt to the detriment of China’s sovereignty, security and development interests will be met with a resolute response and a head-on blow.”
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The article did not say what other options were in Beijing’s toolbox, but the drills were just part of a range of countermeasures Beijing took at the weekend.
