China navy carries out more drills in disputed South China Sea

China’s navy has in recent days carried out more exercises in the disputed South China Sea, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday, calling them routine drills.

China claims almost all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of maritime trade passes each year. The Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

“The People’s Liberation Army Navy in recent days organized a fleet to go to relevant seas in the South China Sea, by way of the Western Pacific, to carry out exercises,” China’s Defence Ministry said in a brief statement.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/china-navy-carries-more-drills-disputed-south-china-020952742.html

On Army Day, China warns of growing border security risks

Related: WORLD, CHINA, EAST CHINA SEA

China’s military warned on Saturday on its founding anniversary of growing risks along its borders, including in the disputed waters of the South and East China Seas.

The Chinese military, the world’s largest, has embarked upon an ambitious modernization program in recent years.

That, along with rising defense spending, has jangled nerves around the region. Chinasays it is a threat to nobody, but needs to update outdated equipment and has to be able to defend what is now the world’s second largest economy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/08/01/us-china-defence-idUSKCN0Q62UR20150801