Beijing, Nov.24 (People's Daily Online) -- China on Wednesday proclaimed that its recent naval drill is not directed at any specific nation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin, at a daily press briefing in Beijing yesterday, made the statement that the Chinese navy's recent exercise in the western Pacific is a routine drill and not directed at any specific country.
Japan's Kyodo news agency reported that six Chinese naval ships had crossed into the Pacific between two major Okinawa Prefecture islands in southern Japan since early Tuesday.
"It is learned that this is an annual, planned and routine drill," Liu said. "It is not directed at any specific country or target and is in keeping with relevant international laws and practices." (Li Zhenyu)
