PLA conducts military training around Huangyan Dao in South China Sea

China's military conducted a joint naval and air training exercise around Huangyan Dao, it said on Sunday.

The People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command, in a statement describes the operation as "a necessary response to actions by "certain countries" it says had undermined regional peace and stability.

The Chinese military says the training "aims to test and enhance combat capabilities in safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests".

Professor Zhang Chi from the National Defense University of People's Liberation Army says the exercises send a clear message that China will "resolutely safeguard the country's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," referencing the Philippines using government vessels and fishing boats as cover in its attempt to breach the China Coast Guard's control line.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the Chinese military training around the shoal.