Amid the worsening of tensions in recent months, China has conducted a 10-day naval drill near eastern Hainan Island on Wednesday.
The training, which is said to improve defense and combat capability, did not allow other vessels to enter the designated maritime areas, according to the Chinese Maritime Safety Administration.
The U.S. recently authorized a seven-hour surveillance flight over the disputed areas, according to Admiral Scott Swift, newly appointed commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
The Ministry of National Defense vehemently voiced its displeasure over the frequent reconnaissance operations over China.
In addition, the Philippines held two military drills in the South China Sea with the U.S. and Japan.
Just last week, China objected when the Philippines started repairing a warship which had an encounter with other Chinese ships in 1999.
In a report by China Daily, Major General Zhu Chenghu, who is also a professor at the National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), shares that it is understandable that observers will associate the naval exercises with the recent tensions.
"For people with military knowledge, they'd certainly know that a military drill of this scale will take at least three to four months of preparation, or maybe even longer. Dozens of projects will be done during the training to test the navy's tactics and weapons," Zhu said, as he downplayed any connection with the recent tensions.
For Xu Liping, an expert on Southeast Asian affairs at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, China is merely exercising a legitimate act within the boundaries of its territory that has nothing to do with the disputes with other countries.