BEIJING—Chinese warships, fighter jets and submarines held live-fire war games in the South China Sea, state media reported Saturday, just days ahead of an international tribunal’s ruling on a challenge to Beijing’s expansive claims in the waters.
The high-profile display of naval hardware is China’s latest salvo in a propaganda offensive aimed at demonstrating its military might and asserting its sovereignty over the disputed region.
Though China has said the exercises are routine, they come ahead of a Hague-based tribunal’s ruling Tuesday in a case brought by the Philippines contesting China’s claims in the South China Sea. China is boycotting the case and says it will not accept the verdict.
China Central Television showed video of Friday’s drills, conducted by three fleets of the People’s Liberation Army Navy. The footage showed missiles and torpedoes being launched from ships, jets flying in formation and releasing flares, and submarines surfacing in the water.
The drills are aimed at testing the navy’s battle-readiness and are scheduled to run till Monday, CCTV said.
