China’s military has been conducting routine patrols with its naval and air forces in the South China Sea since Wednesday, as announced by the Southern Theater Command of the People’s Liberation Army. The patrols are expected to continue on Thursday. The forces in the region are on high alert at all times and will defend national sovereignty, security and maritime rights, said the Chinese military via WeChat. At the same time, the Philippines and the United States began a two-day joint patrol in the South China Sea on Wednesday.