China's South China Sea Showdown The People's Liberation Army (PLA) has long been accused of using its military might to assert dominance in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.
The latest exercise, conducted just days after a Philippine bid to claim part of the region, is only the most recent example of China's willingness to flex its muscles.
Scarborough Shoal, a tiny reef claimed by both China and the Philippines, remains at the center of tensions in the region.