China holds live-fire drills in waters near Philippines' Luzon Island

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — The Chinese Navy destroyer Taiyuan takes part in a naval parade off the eastern port city of Qingdao to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, April 23, 2019. (Jason Lee/Reuters)

BEIJING  -  China's military said on Friday it recently conducted military drills including live-fire exercises in the waters east of the Philippines' Luzon Island, calling it "a necessary operation" in response to the current regional situation.

The military made its announcement as over 17,000 troops from the U.S., the Philippines and allies began their annual Balikatan military exercises this week against a backdrop of tension over China's greater assertiveness in the South China Sea. 

Combat troops from Japan also joined the Balikatan drills for the first time amid persistent strains between Tokyo and Beijing.

A formation of the military's Southern Theater Command (STC) carried out activities that focused on live-fire shooting, sea-air coordination, rapid maneuvers and maritime replenishments to test integrated joint combat capabilities, the command said in a statement on Friday.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Chinese military did not provide further details on the timing or exact location of the drills, but said its exercise is fully in compliance with international law and practice.

"Forces of the STC will regularly conduct corresponding military operations based on the need of the security situation to safeguard national sovereignty and security as well as regional peace and stability," it said. 

 (Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by William Maclean // REUTERS)