Article Posted on : - Dec 09, 2012

An unrelated file photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China has held one of its largest- ever air force drills involving about 100 multi-role fighter planes, amid heightened tensions with Japan over territorial dispute in the East China Sea.

"The exercises involving over about 100 fighters of over 10 different types and support staff were held under information conditions at an airport in southwest China," state-run People's Daily reported.

The drills were reportedly held for 11 days last month.

Official media report described the exercise held in Xinjiang as the largest by China in recent times.

China has been holding multi-military exercises involving land, air and naval forces in recent times on variety of locations, practicing capturing islands and holding on to them.

The exercises were being held in the backdrop of growing tensions with Japan over the disputed islands in the East China Sea.

Tensions have been on the rise since the Japanese government, which has retained administrative control over the islands called 'Senkaku' by Tokyo and 'Diaoyu Dai' by Beijing, by buying the islets from private parties despite stiff Chinese opposition.

Since then, China has gone on a publicity campaign both home and abroad and regularly sent naval ships to patrol the waters directly challenging the Japanese Coast Guard.

Analysts say that the two countries could launch a fresh peace process after the completion of the general elections in Japan.

China for its part had a leadership change recently with new team headed by Xi Jinping was elected by the ruling Communist Party to replace the outgoing administration, headed by President Hu Jintao.