Naval and air units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Wednesday conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas.
Huangyan Dao is part of China's inherent territory, and since the beginning of September, the PLA Southern Theater Command has organized naval and air forces to enhance patrols and vigilance in the surrounding areas of and airspace over the territorial waters of Huangyan Dao, the theater command said.
The move aimed to further strengthen control of relevant sea areas and airspace, effectively counter all sorts of rights-violation and provocative acts, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and security while firmly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, it said.
China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands) which consist of Dongsha Qundao (the Dongsha Islands), Xisha Qundao (the Xisha Islands), Zhongsha Qundao (the Zhongsha Islands) and Nansha Qundao (the Nansha Islands). Huangyan Dao is located in the Zhongsha Qundao.
China has historic rights in the South China Sea. China also has internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, based on Nanhai Zhudao.
The international community has long widely recognized Nanhai Zhudao as part of China's territory.
Chinese naval, air forces conduct combat readiness patrols around Huangyan Dao
The U.S.-led coalition concluded its military mission in Iraq on Wednesday, marking the end of more than two decades of Western military presence that began with the 2003 invasion.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi on Wednesday announced the conclusion of the U.S.-led international coalition's mission to combat the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq.
On the same day, the Pentagon said the United States and its allies have officially ended Operation Inherent Resolve against the IS in Iraq.
To mark the occasion, the Iraqi government declared a four-day official holiday from September 30 to October 3, designated as "Sovereignty Day" celebrations.
"For Iraq, the withdrawal of U.S. forces means that national sovereignty is further fully implemented. Iraq will be able to decide its own stance independently. This is something to be happy about and an important moment of national significance," said Majid Al-Hasnawi, a resident.
Iraqi analysts echoed hopes that regaining full autonomy will accelerate domestic recovery.
"I think at this current time, the withdrawal of U.S. forces and international coalition troops will help promote the reconstruction process. Because the Iraqi people will rely on their own country's talents and institutions, and the people of this country will drive the national reconstruction themselves," said Faisal Radi, an economist.
The drawdown follows years of shifting security dynamics. The U.S. launched the Iraq War in 2003 and carried out a broad withdrawal in late 2011, leaving only a residual force.
In 2014, the Islamic State group seized vast territories across Iraq's west and north. The U.S.-led coalition to combat the extremist group was subsequently formed and deployed forces to Iraq.
In 2024, the U.S. and Iraq agreed on a two-phase transition to conclude the coalition's mission.
"Ending the foreign military presence is an important political decision made and being implemented by Iraq. The problem is that a foreign military presence may provide room for intervention in Iraq's domestic political affairs, and this kind of interference in Iraq's internal affairs is something the Iraqi side cannot accept," said Salah Boushi, director of the Iraq Center for Strategic Affairs.
U.S.-led coalition concludes military mission in Iraq
