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Soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) carried out large scale war drills east of Inner Mongolia on Saturday morning, according to Chinese media.

In excruciatingly cold conditions, Chinese troops took part in a mock battle between opposing army units, read and blue.

Practice airstrikes, aerial reconnaissance and electromagnetic interference were among other drills conducted by the PLA in temperatures as low as -17C.

An army unit responsible for border security carried out the drill on the Zhurihe military base – a remote training ground near the North Korea border.

(Image: GETTY) (Image: CHINA DEFENCE MINISTRY)

The PLA's largest and most advanced training base, Zhurihe was set up to provide realistic battle conditions for Chinese soldiers to enhance their combat skills.

In August this year, Chinese president Xi Jinping stood over 12,000 troops, tanks, long-range missile launchers, jet fighters and other impressive weaponry at the military base.

The highly provocative drills come just days after China closed off its main route with North Korea amid ongoing tensions.

Beijing is furious with Pyongyang for repeatedly testing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles in defiance of international condemnation.

(Image: CHINA DEFENCE MINISTRY) (Image: GETTY)

US President Donald Trump has accused Xi of not doing enough to stop North Korea’s supreme leader Kim from threatening the world with ballistic missiles.

But China appears to be taking a more assertive role in pressuring the Communist nation into curbing its nuclear ambitions.

The latest war drill, held annually, was aimed at improving the Chinese army’s military capabilities in freezing temperatures.

Security expert Euan Graham, of think tank the Lowy Institute, said the drills suggest “game-playing” on the part of China.

(Image: GETTY)

“This is a perennial question,” he said. “Every time China-North Korea relations worsen, there’s always a report of China moving troops around the border.”

Previous Chinese military drills have been described as warnings to North Korea, according to analysts.

In September, China shot down “incoming missiles” in a brazen show of force on North Korea’s doorstep.

As North Korea’s biggest trading partner, China is seen as a key player in solving the missile crisis engulfing the peninsula.