BEIJING - China and Russia were to start war games in the South China Sea on Monday, Beijing's defence ministry said, in a show of force after an international tribunal invalidated the Asian giant's extensive claims in the area. China claims almost all of the South China Sea and has sought to bolster its case by building a series of artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities. The eight-day joint exercises will include a focus on "seizing and controlling" islands and shoals, Chinese navy spokesman Liang Yang said in a statement. China claims almost all of the South China Sea and has sought to bolster its case by building a series of artificial islands capable of supporting military facilities. In May last year, they conducted their first joint naval exercises in European waters in the Black Sea and Mediterranean, China's farthest-ever drills from its home waters.

Source: Bangkok Post September 12, 2016 03:45 UTC