China's Defense Ministry denied reports that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) units had entered level-2 combat readiness.

Online media reports said on Friday that the PLA's Guangzhou Military Area Command and the South China Sea Fleet have entered Level II combat readiness.

A brief press release published by the ministry's official website Saturday said that those reports were not true.

China has maintained a monthlong maritime standoff with the Philippines in the South China Sea over the dispute of the Huangyan Island.