China conducts combat readiness patrols around disputed shoal in South China Sea

China and the United States have increased their military drone flights near Japan and the South China Sea, according to recent reports. Chinese reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering drones, as well as a US Marine detachment, have been spotted in strategic passages near Japan and in the disputed South China Sea islands. Japan's Joint Staff Office reported Chinese drones transiting the Miyako Strait, connecting Okinawa and Miyako Island, to the Pacific Ocean.

The heightened deployment of Chinese drones coincides with large-scale joint military exercises between Tokyo and Washington, aimed at deterring conflict in the region, including potential contingencies involving Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and is committed to reunifying it by force if necessary. The US has responded to the increased activity by deploying a Marine Corps drone detachment to a Philippine airfield in Palawan, near the Spratly Islands.

Brief written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.