China’s military and coast guard conduct patrols around Scarborough Shoal

Panatag or Scarborough Shoal is within the Philippines' 200-nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone. (Google Maps)

BEIJING — China’s military and coast guard organized patrols around Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea on Thursday, according to statements released by the Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army and by the coast guard.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not respond immediately to a request for comment.

—Reporting by Beijing Newsroom, Editing by Christina Fincher