China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Monday held their first joint military exercises in the South China Sea.
Eight warships left Zhanjiang port in Guangdong province, according to the official CCTV channel, noting that 1,200 soldiers are taking part in the operation.
The joint military exercises between China and ASEAN will continue until Sunday, when both sides say they want to promote stability and ease tensions in the South China Sea.
Singapore, which co-organizes the exercises with Beijing, as well as Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam and the Philippines, has sent ships to the event, and Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Burma have sent observers.
The ministry said the operations would allow "mutual trust" and "promote military relations between China and ASEAN countries".
Beijing claims sovereignty over the entire South China Sea, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also demand sovereignty over various parts of the region.
China has strengthened its presence in the region by building artificial islands and installing military equipment on some of them.
The United States regularly sends warships or planes near the Beijing-controlled bridges.
"It's a transparent issue, which is lacking in the South China Sea," said US Defense Secretary Jim Matisse last week. "From here, it is moving in the right direction, Press.
