China conducts live firing drill in South China Sea

MANILA, Philippines — The Chinese navy on Tuesday started its live firing exercise in an unspecified location in the South China Sea, state reports said.

Recent news reports released by China's National Defense Ministry noted that the drill involves more than 100 naval vessels, dozens of aircraft, several missile launch battalions and an unspecified number of information warfare troops.

Dozens of missiles and torpedoes and thousands of shells and jamming bombs were fired at the start of the exercise.

The Chinese navy's air defense and early warning system was also tested in the disputed sea, most of which China claims as part of its inherent territorial waters.

Chinese navy spokesperson Liang Yang said that the public and the international community should "not excessively interpret" the drill.

"Holding sea drills is a common practice for navies with various countries," Liang said, adding that it is in line with international law.

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Despite not specifying the location of the drill, the official insisted that the Spratlys group of islands in the vicinity has been part of China's "territories since ancient times."

"But some neighboring countries have long been illegally occupying some of the islands, buildings, facilities there, such as airports and even deploying heavy offensive weapons," Liang said.

The Philippines calls the islands and shoals Kalayaan, and has asked a United Nations arbitral tribunal to clarify its maritime entitlements in the sea areas.

Liang said the drill will help China to remain on high alert as some "powerful countries outside the region" deploy vessels and aircraft on reconnaissance missions "with China as the imaginary enemy."