China's Navy on Monday kicked off combat drills in the East China Sea in an attempt to flex its military muscles.

China's Defense Ministry, in a statement, said that the Navy conducted large-scale military drills in the East China Sea.

The military exercise involved firing dozens of missiles and torpedoes. A submarine, a cruiser and more than 100 vessels from all three fleets of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) participated in the drills.

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"The exercise was aimed at bolstering the assault intensity, precision, stability and speed of troops amid heavy electromagnetic influences," the statement said. "An information technology-based war at sea is sudden, cruel and short, which requires a fast transition to combat status, quick preparation, and high assault efficiency."

Chinese officials, however, downplayed the drills saying that the military exercise should not be considered as a threat or provocation. Beijing recently conducted similar combat drills in disputed the South China Sea region.

The Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration, on July 12, rejected China's territorial claims in the disputed South China Sea saying that it has no legal basis.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Japan expressed 'concern' over increased Chinese activities in the East China Sea region. "Recently, China has been intensifying activities near the Senkaku Islands, such as its military aircraft flying southward closer to the islands," the Japanese government said in its annual defense assessment paper.

Check out a footage of the Chinese Navy combat drills in East Asia Sea here.

Tagschina, military drills, East China Sea