China conducted military drills recently including live-fire exercises in waters east of the Philippines’ Luzon Island, it said on Friday, as Manila and Washington host annual drills that extend towards disputed areas of the South China Sea.

Over 17,000 troops from the US, the Philippines and allies began their annual Balikatan military exercises this week, with combat troops from Japan joining for the first time amid persistent strains between Tokyo and Beijing.

The Chinese military’s Southern Theater Command (STC) said on Friday its Naval Task Group 107 carried out activities that focused on live-fire shooting, sea-air coordination, rapid maneuvers and maritime replenishments to test integrated joint combat capabilities.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.