China and Russia have begun their first naval exercises in the South China Sea (SCS), setting the stage for a deeper military and political engagement, reinforced by the meeting at Hangzhou between the two heads of state. Significantly, Chinese state media, without dispelling ambiguity entirely, is signaling that exercises are not being held in a disputed area in the SCS, but within China’s coastal waters. The state-run China Central Television reported in its Monday morning bulletin that the joint manoeuvres were being held in “waters off China’s Guangdong province”. As is known, China did not go the Hague Court of Arbitration and no one there listened to its position. We support China’s position on the issue.”'Very good relationship with Xi'The Russian President also praised Chinese President Xi Jinping, the host of the G-20 summit.

Source: The Hindu September 12, 2016 11:15 UTC