China conducts military drills in South China Sea

The Chinese navy has conducted drills that simulate war in "certain waters" in the South China Sea, employing major destroyers and frigates, carrier-based helicopters and new submarines.

The exercise was based out of the Sanya training base of the People's Liberation Army Navy, focusing on anti-submarine warfare, according to a navy statement issued on Friday, without detailing the exact time and places for the maneuvers.

It is a regular annual naval drill aimed at implementing President Xi Jinping's calls for a military that is capable of fighting and winning wars, the statement said.

Naval forces from three fleets conducted "fierce rivalry" in several different waters and have achieved projected objectives, it said, adding the drill has vigorously improved the navy's anti-submarine combat abilities based on informationalized systems. Endi