The Chinese government indicated the exercises are expected to conclude by midday on Sunday, issued a navigation alert and restricted passage to vessels.

Although China did not specify further details about the military operation, it was launched while the United States and Japan are carrying out military exercises in the South Sea.

All these military actions were also held in a context of high tensions between Beijing and Washington over the shooting down of a scientific balloon that accidentally entered U.S. airspace. The incident led to protests from China, while the White House considered it part of a broad plotting program.

pll/rgh/ymr