(MENAFN) China issued sharp criticism Sunday targeting the Philippines following the Southeast Asian nation's joint naval exercises with Washington and Tokyo.

Beijing's armed forces demanded Manila cease provocative maneuvers immediately to prevent further destabilization across the South China Sea, a state-operated media outlet reported.

Tian Junli, spokesperson for the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, released the rebuke after the Philippines executed "joint patrols" alongside external powers, actions China claims "undermined peace and stability in the region."

The PLA Southern Theater Command deployed a bomber formation during routine South China Sea patrol operations Friday, the representative confirmed.

Beijing's condemnation followed the Philippines' combined naval operations with the United States Indo-Pacific Command and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted Nov. 14-15 throughout the South China Sea.

A communiqué from the Armed Forces of the Philippines detailed the exercise as featuring synchronized maritime and aerial maneuvers involving multiple naval assets.

The operations demonstrated the Philippines' "commitment to safeguarding the nation's sovereign rights and advancing collective defense readiness alongside trusted partners," according to the statement posted on US social media platform X.

"These engagements highlight not only the Philippines' steadfast resolve to defend its maritime domains but also its shared commitment with partners to strengthen deterrence, enhance interoperability, and uphold freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific," the statement added.

MENAFN16112025000045017169ID1110350363