China claims most of the South China Sea, through which more than $5 trillion of trade moves annually. The United States has sought to assert its right to freedom of navigation in the South China Sea with its patrols and denies taking sides in the territorial disputes. The exercises come at a time of heightened tension in the contested waters after an arbitration court in the Hague ruled this month that China did not have historic rights to the South China Sea and criticized its environmental destruction there. China has repeatedly blamed the United States for stoking tension in the region through its military patrols, and of taking sides in the dispute. Yang said China and Russia were comprehensive strategic partners and had already held many exercises this year.

Source: bd News24 July 28, 2016 09:11 UTC