CHINESE warships fire LIVE rockets as they prepare for a "cruel and short" war in these awe-inspiring snaps.

The show of strength in the South China Sea comes just weeks after an international court dismissed the country's rights to large areas of the sea.

Dazzling images shows a number of ships firing live missiles and torpedoes during the sabre-rattling exercise on Monday.

9 The Chinese Navy put on a show of strength in the South China Sea by firing live missiles during a training exercise just one month after an international court ruling on its claims in the disputed waters Credit: Alamy

9 The ruling at The Hague last month dismissed Chinese claims to vast swathes of the seas for oil and fishing rights Credit: Alamy

9 China's reaction was to hold an awe-inspiring missile display shortly after announcing joint military drills in the sea with Russia Credit: Alamy

9 And, ominously, Chinese officials warned the drills were aimed at preparing for a "cruel and short" war Credit: AP:Associated Press

An ominous statement from the Chinese defence ministry said: "An information technology-based war at sea is sudden, cruel and short, which requires fast transition to combat status, quick preparation and high assault efficiency."

It added that the drills were aimed at improving the navy's "intensity, precision, stability and speed".

China has been building a series of man-made islands in the resource-rich South China Sea in a bid to claim large tracts for fishing and oil exploration rights.

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A number of nations including Vietnam and the Philippines hold competing claims.

But an international ruling at The Hague last month rejected China's vast territorial demands.

The decision was met with fury in Beijing where it was branded a "farce".

Vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin added: “Do not turn the South China Sea into a cradle of war."

While the country's air force sent a nuclear bomber over the region in a not-so-veiled warning.

9 The sabre-rattling exercise comes as China tries to assert its authorities in the waters by building man-made islands Credit: Reuters

9 The Chinese face competing claims from other countries in the region, including The Philippines and Vietnam Credit: Alamy

9 The Chinese and Russian navies will conduct joint drills in the regions next month as tensions ramp up following the court ruling Credit: Getty Images

9 A satellite image from April last year shows what is claimed to be an under-construction Chinese airstrip at the top end of Fiery Cross Reef in the Spratly Islands of the disputed South China Sea Credit: Getty Images

9 But the US Navy has warned it will continue to sail through the disputed water of the South China Sea. Aircraft carrier the USS Theodore Roosevelt is pictured here Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The announcement came amid a steep build-up in military operations around the region.

Chinese and Russian officials sent out a ominous warning to Western powers with the announcement of joint military drills in the region next month.

While the US Navy confirmed it would disregard Chinese warnings and continue to sail its vessels through the South China Sea.

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