China holds drills in SCS after talks with US

Chinese air and naval forces are conducting maneuvers in a disputed area of the South China Sea, the military said on Saturday, hours after the country’s top diplomat discussed ways of reducing regional tension with his US counterpart.

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The news comes after Australia and the Philippines said their militaries would hold a joint maritime activity with Japan, New Zealand and the United States in the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

The Chinese drills will include "routine" early warning and reconnaissance exercises as well as patrols around Scarborough Shoal, the Southern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army said in a statement, but gave no details.

"The theater troops maintain a high degree of vigilance, resolutely defending national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests (and) are firm in maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” it said.

One of Asia’s most contested features, the Scarborough Shoal is 200 km (124 miles) off the Philippines, within its exclusive economic zone.