China launches air, sea patrols near flashpoint reef as US holds joint drills 

beijing — China carried out a combat patrol to test "strike capabilities" near a flashpoint reef in the South China Sea on Wednesday, as the United States and its allies held joint military drills in the same waters.  Tensions in the disputed waterway have spiked following a series of escalating confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels that have fanned fears of a wider conflict that could draw in the United States due to its mutual defense treaty with Manila.  Beijing claims almost the entire South China Sea...