China to hold drills in disputed waters ahead of int'l court ruling

Beijing

CHINA will conduct military drills in the disputed South China Sea, the government said on Sunday, ahead of an international tribunal ruling on Beijing's maritime claims in the resource-rich area.

The drills will be held in waters around the Paracel Islands from July 5-11, with other ships prohibited from entering the waters during that time, a short statement by the maritime safety administration said.