BEIJING – The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy is to hold regularmilitary drills in the South China Sea soon, China Central Television hasreported.

The drills are planned annual exercises, the goal of which is to test andimprove the military’s training level and ability to win, China CentralTelevision reported. They are not directed against any third parties ortargets, according to the channel.

The broadcaster did not elaborate on the timing or location of the drills.

China regularly holds military drills in the South China Sea, a marginalsea that Beijing claims most of. Apart from Beijing, Brunei, Malaysia,Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines also claim parts of the South China Seaand often protest over China’s military exercises.