News / China

China holds military exercise in disputed waters

Friday, 18 December 2015 6:27 AM [ Last Update: Friday, 18 December 2015 6:46 AM ]

This file photo shows a Chinese submarine.

The Chinese military says it has held exercises across “several thousand square kilometers” in the disputed South China Sea.

The official People’s Liberation Army Daily said on Friday that the country’s warships, submarines and fighter jets took part in the exercise, which it said was held on Wednesday.

The paper said Chinese military forces reviewed various war scenarios, including launching missiles attacks, deflecting missile attacks, and coordinating joint operations by ships, submarines, early warning aircraft and fighter jets.

China claims sovereignty over most parts of the South China Sea.

Other countries, including Taiwan, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines, have also staked claims to parts of the region.

Last month, China called on other countries in the region to engage in direct talks over any disputed South China Sea territory. Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said intervention by some extra-regional countries was in nobody’s interest.

This May 11, 2015 file photo purports to show alleged construction work by China in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. (Photo via AP)

The US accuses Beijing of carrying out a reclamation program in the South China Sea by building artificial islands in the disputed areas.

The United States is pushing its Asian allies to help contain growing Chinese military power. It is assisting Japan to string a line of anti-ship, anti-aircraft missile batteries along 200 islands in the East China Sea stretching 1,400 kilometers (870 miles) from the country’s mainland towards Taiwan.

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