Article Posted on : - Jul 03, 2010

A file photo

BEIJING (PTI): China, currently conducting exercises in the East China Sea, has objected to the proposed joint military drill between the US and South Korea in the Yellow Sea, saying the location of the war games was too close to its maritime region.

General Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, said the location of the upcoming drill is very close to Chinese's sea area due to which China strongly opposed it.

Ma's comment was China's first public opposition to the drill, state-run China Daily reported on Friday.

Washington and Seoul had announced the combined military drill in early June to counter North Korea's alleged sinking of a South Korean warship in late March that killed 46.

Soon after it was announced, the anti-submarine drill was delayed to mid-June, then again postponed to the last week of June. On June 28, Seoul again delayed the drill to July, according a Korean official, to ensure the US' attendance.

The confusing signals sent out by the two sides on whether the aircraft carrier USS George Washington would take part in the drill has made the exercise an even hotter topic, the daily reported.

The PLA itself has launched its six-day military exercises using live ammunition in East China Sea on June 30.

East China Sea is off the coast of one of China's main cities Shanghai facing the Korean peninsula and Japan.