On Friday, the China Daily state newspaper reported that several bombers, including the long-range, nuclear strike-capable H-6K, conducted takeoff and landing drills at an unidentified island airfield in the South China Sea.

Read more: South China Sea — what you need to know

In a statement, the Defense Ministry announced that the exercise was conducted on a reef, but did not specify where, saying only that it took place at a "southern sea area."

According to the ministry, several H-6Ks carried out simulated strikes against sea targets during the drill.

Wang Mingliang, a military expert, was quoted in the statement as saying that the exercise in the South China Sea will help the Chinese air force "strengthen its combat capability to deal with maritime security threats."

The Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative identified the exercise location as Woody Island, China's largest base in the Paracel Islands.

"I believe this is the first time a bomber has landed in the South China Sea," Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, tweeted.

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South China Sea countries are building larger navies Pride of the Chinese armada The first Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was originally a Soviet model built in 1986. In 1998, the stripped hulk was sold to China by Ukraine and rebuilt by the Dailian Shipbuilding Industry Company in northeastern China. It was completed in 2012 and has been ready for service since 2016.

South China Sea countries are building larger navies 'Black holes' for Vietnam In recent years, Vietnam has acquired six Russian Kilo-class submarines. Two were delivered in 2017. The subs are nicknamed "black holes" by the US Navy, because they run very quietly and are difficult to locate. They are specialized for missions in shallow waters and for defense against enemy ships and submarines.

South China Sea countries are building larger navies Flagship of the Philippines The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is the flagship of the Philippine Navy. The vessel is one of three former US Coast Guard cutters that were acquired by the Philippines. The ship was first put in service in 1967 and it was modernized in 2011. In 2012, it was involved in the dispute with the People's Republic of China over Scarborough Shoal.

South China Sea countries are building larger navies Warships from European shipyards Indonesia is in the process of buying new ships and modernizing its navy. Pictured here is the KRI Sultan Hasanuddin, a Sigma-class corvette. The ship was built in 2007 in the Netherlands. Germany also supplies warships to countries in the region. The Kasturi-class corvettes in Malaysia and Brunei's Darussalam-class high-seas patrol boats come from German shipyards.

South China Sea countries are building larger navies Singapore's stealth ships Singapore is unmatched for hi-tech in the region. Since 2007, the city-state has put six Formidable-class stealth ships in service. All of them were built in France.

South China Sea countries are building larger navies The long arm of the US Navy The only truly global naval power remains the US Navy. The seventh fleet is stationed in the Pacific. It is the largest forward-deployed fleet of the US Navy with 50-60 ships, 350 aircraft and 60,000 personnel. This includes the only US aircraft carrier stationed outside of the US, the USS Ronald Regan, stationed at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan. Author: Rodion Ebbighausen (wr)



China's maritime 'aggression'

The tensions in the South China Sea center on Beijing's claiming virtually all of the sea as its territorial waters, a claim that has been vigorously disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.

The Philippines had been the most vigorous critic of Chinese territorial claims, but President Rodrigo Duterte dialed back his country's objections, leaving Vietnam as the leading critic.

The US has accused China of militarizing the region and redefining its national boundaries to strengthen its claims across the South China Sea. Washington believes China will use the islands and its military presence on them to deny access to strategic sea routes.

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In the Paracel Islands, a new helipad, wind turbines and large radar towers have been built. The radar towers on Triton Island could be used in China's disputes with Vietnam and with the US over freedom of navigation operations, which the US Navy has used to back its perceived right to free passage in international waters.

Earlier this month, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier left dock in the northeastern port of Dalian to begin sea trials of its engine, propulsion and navigation systems. The trials represent a landmark in Beijing's extensive project to modernize its navy as it continues to build up its presence in the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan, which it sees as its own territory.

Read more: Southeast Asian nations 'want to control China's behavior'

shs/jlw (AFP, AP)