PLA Southern Theater Command Publishes Combat Readiness Patrol Video Near Scarborough Shoal

China's People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command released video footage on March 30 of 'combat readiness patrols' in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal (Huangyan Dao), featuring at least two Type 054A guided-missile frigates and J-15 carrier-based fighter jets. The PLA described the mission as 'tracking, monitoring, warnings, and expulsions,' and characterized the patrols as a direct response to Philippine 'provocations' following the BRP Benguet near-collision incident on March 25 and the Philippines-China BCM/FMC talks in Quanzhou. The deployment of carrier-based J-15 fighters alongside surface combatants near Scarborough represented an escalatory signal; the US issued no immediate public response but closely monitored PLAN movements via P-8A patrol aircraft.