Tension once again increased among claimant countries to the disputed South China Sea, as Chinese military forces conducted live-fire exercises in the Gulf of Tonkin (a body of water located off the coast of northern Vietnam and southern China) on Monday.
This is to make its troops ready with skills in case of any threats in the region.
According to China's maritime safety administration, during the military drills, ships and other naval vessels were barred from going inside the area.
However, Chinese authorities made it clear that military drills were not made to target any country but were part of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) routine drills.
Since the ruling of international arbitral court came out favoring the claim of the Philippines, China's armed forces have held series of military drills in the region.
Last week, in a satellite released by international think-tank, images of China constructing hangars in the disputed Spratly were shown. The hangars are capable of accommodating around 70 aircraft, including fighter jets
On Sunday, Chinese troops led military drills in the Sea of Japan involving the country's latest ships and frigates.
Military analysts said that Beijing has progressively intensified its presence in the unoccupied islands in the Sea of Japan controlled by Tokyo.
On the other hand, China and Russia are expected to conduct joint military exercises in the South China Sea next month.
