MOD: navy drills do not target neighbors

'Hype' China threat

Wang Xiaopeng, a maritime border expert at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, noted that the speculation is intended to "internationalize" South China Sea issues and to "hype the China threat theory."

In 2013, the Philippines filed an arbitration case to The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by China. After a hearing in early July, the arbitral tribunal has yet to decide whether it has jurisdiction over the case.

China's ambassador to the Philippines, Zhao Jianhua, called on the Philippines on Wednesday to withdraw the case in The Hague and to return to bilateral negotiations, Reuters reported.

However, observers also agreed that the drills could deter certain countries from escalating and complicating situations in the South China Sea.

By demonstrating the navy's armament and combat readiness, the drills can deter any country that attempts to further stir up the inflammatory situation, such as the US and Japan, Wang Xiaopeng told the Global Times.

With the right to collective self-defense provided by the security bills recently passed in Japan's lower house, Japan could intervene in disputes between China and other countries, including the Philippines and Vietnam, experts said.

"The military exercises can also give the Philippines a warning that it should stop endlessly provoking troubles," Wang Yiwei told the Global Times.