Chinese bombers, fighters and early warning and aerial refueling aircraft on Monday flew through the Bashi Channel that separates Taiwan and the Philippines to exercises in the Western Pacific, the air force here said. Also on Monday, China and Russia were to start war games in the South China Sea, Beijing's defense ministry said. The eight-day joint drills will include exercises on "seizing and controlling" islands and shoals, Chinese navy spokesperson Liang Yang said in a statement.

China, Russia launch war games in disputed sea. (2016, September, 13). Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A4.