China has sent advanced warships and submarines to the South China Sea in preparation for military exercises set to be conducted this month, according to Xinhua.

China on Wednesday said the military drills are 'routine exercises' aimed at upgrading the naval capabilities and readiness of the Chinese Navy.

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Beijing said the ships, including a guided missile destroyer, would take part in anti-submarine, anti-missile, and other drills.

Naval officials refused to divulge exactly where in the South China Sea the exercises will be conducted except to say that it will take place this year.

Military deployments

China announces its military drills in the South China Sea from time to time in an attempt to be transparent in its military deployments.

Beijing is laying claim to almost the entirety of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea where $5 trillion of ship-borne trade passes through each year.

The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan have overlapping claims to the reefs and islands in the international waterway.

At odds

Beijing and Washington have been at odds over the South China Sea issue as the two nations continue to accuse each other of militarizing the region.

US naval and aerial forces have been patrolling the waters near China-controlled territories as part of so-called freedom of navigation operations.

Beijing has repeatedly protested against the presence of US troops in the region claiming the military activities in the area has heightened tensions between claimant countries.

Washington has openly criticized China's reclamation activities in the disputed islands and has taken up the cudgel for the smaller states that have rival claims in the South China Sea.

TagsMilitary exercises, South China Sea, guided missile detroyer, routine exercises, china