China "organised a joint combat patrol in the sea and air space near Huangyan Island", the People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command said, using the Chinese name for the Scarborough Shoal, also claimed by the Philippines.

"All military activities that disrupt the South China Sea, create hotspots, and undermine regional peace and stability are all being controlled to the best extent," the military said.

Beijing claims almost the entire waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no legal basis.

A series of confrontations have taken place between Chinese and Philippine vessels in recent months, particularly around a warship grounded for years by Manila on the contested Second Thomas Shoal.

Beijing has blamed the escalations on Manila, and maintains that its actions to protect its sovereignty in the South China Sea are legal and proportional.