The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Saturday conducted a joint naval-air training exercise in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, according to an official statement.

The theater command said in the statement that the exercise was a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China Sea and in response to the actions of certain countries in the region that have undermined regional peace and stability.

The training exercise aims to test and enhance the forces' real combat capabilities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, the theater command added.