REUTERS/Tyrone Siu/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 31 (Reuters) - China's military said it had recently held intensive anti-submarine exercises in the strategically important South China Sea as part of efforts to hone its capabilities amid rising maritime tensions with its neighbours and their allies.
It was one of several such drills this year and was part of broader activities the Chinese military has conducted in the Indo-Pacific region.
The United States and its allies have also stepped up military activities, especially in the South China Sea, most of which is claimed by Beijing.
Last week, the U.S. and Indonesian defence chiefs said China's territorial claims in the South China Sea were "inconsistent with international law".
"Japan and the United States have frequent submarine activities in the region," said Chinese military commentator Song Zhongping, but those activities were not disclosed.
Persons:
Tyrone Siu, Song Zhongping, Albee Zhang, Ryan Woo, Gerry Doyle
Organizations:
Community Emergency, Team, REUTERS, Rights, Southern Command Theatre, China's, Liberation Army, Beijing, U.S . Navy, Seventh Fleet, Thomson
Locations:
Hong Kong, China, Rights BEIJING, South China, United States, U.S, Philippine, Japan, Australia, Britain