China will hold naval exercises in the South China Sea on Saturday, China's maritime authority said, after the United States and its allies criticized its military ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region.
The maneuvers will take place in the immediate vicinity of the Chinese coast, in a small maritime space far from the areas disputed with Vietnam and the Philippines.
The Maritime Security Administration said, on Thursday, that "military exercises will take place and the area is prohibited," and published the coordinates of the area in question.
The area is located about 25 km south of Hainan Island (south) and has an area of about 100 km2.
China regularly organizes naval maneuvers, often near its coasts.
Maneuvers are scheduled in another offshore area near Hainan next week.
The United States, which views China as a strategic competitor, is warning of the expansion of Beijing's military and economic presence in a region stretching from the South China Sea to the Pacific islands. According to the United States, this presence constitutes a strategy to adjust the balance of power in the region.
On Thursday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, "Beijing is engaging in increasingly provocative rhetoric and activities, such as aircraft flying near Taiwan" almost daily.
He was referring to the passage of military aircraft in the Taiwanese "Adiz Air Defense Identification Zone", in places at least 150 km from the Taiwanese coast.
On Thursday, Blinken also called for confronting China's efforts to "reshape the international order."
Blinken's comments come on the heels of US President Joe Biden's pledge this week to defend Taiwan in the event of Beijing's attack on the island.
In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry called on the US not to "underestimate" China's determination to defend its sovereignty.
China just launched a major initiative to expand security cooperation and free trade with the South Pacific countries, which was denounced by Australia, an ally of the United States.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed that the agreement "is not imposed on anyone, is not targeted at any third party, and there is absolutely no intention to establish a military base."
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- Agencies