Beijing says China and Russia will hold a routine naval exercise in the South China Sea (LCS) in September. This exercise aims to strengthen the cooperation of both and is not intended for other countries.
"This is a routine exercise between the two armed forces aimed at strengthening the partnership development of China-Russia strategic research agreement," said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Yang Yujun.
"This exercise is not directed against any third party," he added, as quoted from Reuters on Thursday (07/28/2016).
This exercise comes amid tensions in the water after an international arbitration court reject China's claim to LCS. But China's claim to reject the decision.
China claims most of the LCS in which more than $ 5 trillion in trade moves annually. This claim was contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
China has repeatedly blamed the United States (US) for stoking tensions in the region through military patrols, and intervene in the dispute. But the United States asserts its right to freedom of navigation in the LCS by conducting patrols and denied taking sides in territorial disputes.
"This is a routine exercise between the two armed forces aimed at strengthening the partnership development of China-Russia strategic research agreement," said Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman, Yang Yujun.
"This exercise is not directed against any third party," he added, as quoted from Reuters on Thursday (07/28/2016).
This exercise comes amid tensions in the water after an international arbitration court reject China's claim to LCS. But China's claim to reject the decision.
China claims most of the LCS in which more than $ 5 trillion in trade moves annually. This claim was contested by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam.
China has repeatedly blamed the United States (US) for stoking tensions in the region through military patrols, and intervene in the dispute. But the United States asserts its right to freedom of navigation in the LCS by conducting patrols and denied taking sides in territorial disputes.