The Chinese navy is conducting 'confrontation' naval drills in the Sea of Japan as part of its routine annual exercises, according to state media.

The news comes a day after Japanese media reported that China has constructed a pier for warships on an islet located near the disputed Japanese-controlled Senkaku or Diaoyu Islands. China is reportedly building a large military on the island amid its ongoing territorial dispute with Japan in the East China Sea, according to The Japan Times.

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China's People's Liberation Army Daily did not specify the exact location of the naval exercises but mentioned that they were taking place in a "certain area of the Sea of Japan." The Sea of Japan is a strategic waterway bordered by Japan, South Korea, North Korea and Russia.

The report added that many of the Chinese vessels that participated in the drills were returning home from the multinational Rim of the Pacific warfare exercises (RIMPAC) hosted by the United States in Hawaii. This is the second time China has taken part in the maritime exercise.

"The precision strike against 'enemy' maritime strength jointly launched by warships and naval aviation force ... was highlighted in the confrontation drill," the report said.

"Exercises far out at sea in international waters are commonly done by navies of the world, and this year, our navy has many times organised fleets to carry out exercises far out in the Western Pacific," the publication further noted, according to The Straits Times.

The newspaper also pointed out that the confrontation drills were part of its annual training programme and was not carried out with hostile intentions towards a specific country or region and was well within the limits of international law.

Tagschina, Japan, East China Sea, Sea of Japan, naval exercise, naval drills, RIMPAC, Senkaku Islands, Diaoyu Islands