China on Monday said it was closing off a part of the South China Sea for military exercises this week, days after an international tribunal ruled against Beijing's claim to ownership of virtually the entire strategic waterway. Hainan's maritime administration said an area southeast of the island province would be closed from Monday to Thursday, but he gave no details about the natures of the exercises. The Navy and Defense Ministry had no immediate comment.

Beijing blocks sea for war exercises. (2016, July 16). Philippine Daily Inquirer, pp. A1, A4.