China's People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) has conducted a "combat air patrol" over the South China Sea (SCS), which will become a "regular practice" in the future, a PLAAF spokesperson was quoted by Xinhua news agency as saying on 18 July. The PLAAF recently sent H-6K strategic bombers and other aircraft, including fighters, scouts, and tankers, to patrol the islands and reefs in the disputed waters, including Scarborough Shoal, spokesperson Shen Jinke was quoted as saying.
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