US and Philippines conduct joint air, sea patrols in South China Sea

A Philippine Air Force FA-50PH jet fighter, joins the maritime patrol of the Philippines and the United States over Batanes and areas in the West Philippine Sea (Philippine Air Force via AP)

The United States and the Philippines are conducting joint air and maritime patrols in the South China Sea, which come as the two countries step up co-operation in the face of growingly aggressive Chinese activity in the area.

The Philippine Air Force said its aircraft had taken part in joint patrols on Tuesday in the vicinity of Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, which is only about 125 miles from Taiwan, a self-governed island that China claims as its own.