The People's Liberation Army's Southern Theater Command conducted combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters, airspace and surrounding areas of China's Huangyan Island in the South China Sea on Sunday, the theater command announced in a statement.

It said that since December, the theater command has been organizing naval and air forces to continuously strengthen patrols and vigilance around the territorial waters and airspace of Huangyan Island.

This effort has further enhanced the control over the relevant maritime and airspace areas, resolutely safeguarding national sovereignty and security, as well as firmly maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, the statement said.