BEIJING — China on Sunday criticized the Philippines after Manila conducted joint maritime drills with the United States and Japan, escalating a new round of tensions in the South China Sea.

Tian Junli, spokesman for the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, said the Philippines must “immediately stop provocative actions” and avoid further destabilizing the region, according to state-run Xinhua News.

He issued the statement after the Philippines held what Beijing described as “joint patrols” with countries from outside the region, which, it claimed, “undermined peace and stability.”

Tian added that the PLA Southern Theater Command carried out a routine patrol on Friday, including a bomber formation operating in the South China Sea.

Beijing’s remarks came after the Philippines conducted joint naval exercises with the US Indo-Pacific Command and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force on Nov. 14–15.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the drills featured coordinated maritime and aerial operations with multiple naval vessels taking part.

The Philippine military said the exercises underscore the country’s “commitment to safeguarding sovereign rights” and strengthening collective defense with trusted partners.

The operation also aimed to enhance deterrence, interoperability and freedom of navigation under a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific. — Agencies