The China Coast Guard (CCG) conducted law-enforcement patrols in the territorial waters of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas in the South China Sea on Wednesday.
Relevant law-enforcement patrols have been enhanced since early September, the CCG said, noting that its forces regulated ships engaged in illegal rights-violating activities in accordance with laws and regulations during the patrols.
The patrols were meant to further strengthen the orderly management of relevant waters and resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the CCG said.
China has sovereignty over Nanhai Zhudao (the South China Sea Islands), consisting 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 Islands.
China has historic rights in the South China Sea, with 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.
China Coast Guard conducts law-enforcement 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
