China Conducts Maritime Exercises Near Disputed South China Sea Shoals

• China's coastguard conducted maritime exercises near Second Thomas Shoal and another disputed reef.
• The drills involved water cannons and drones, according to state media.
• The exercises were intended to prepare for potential 'foreign infringement', as reported by state media.
• The disputed reefs are at the center of China's contention with the Philippines in the South China Sea.
• Reuters reported that China conducted combat readiness patrols around the disputed shoal.