China conducts 'combat patrols' as US holds drills with allies in disputed waters 

This handout photo from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, released on Apr. 7, 2024, shows ships participating in the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity between the Philippines, US, Australia and Japan, in South China Sea. South China Sea territorial claims

China conducted "combat patrols" Sunday in the South China Sea, its army said, the same day the Philippines, the United States, Japan and Australia held their first joint drills in the disputed waters. The maritime activities took place days before U.S. President Joe Biden was due to hold the first trilateral summit with the leaders of the Philippines and Japan, with growing tensions over the hotly contested South China Sea on the agenda.