Chinese bombers, fighters and aerial refuelling aircraft flew through the Bashi Channel on Monday for exercises in the Western Pacific. The channel separates China's Taiwan and the Philippines.

The Chinese air force says these were normal, annual, planned exercises to raise the air force's ability to defend national sovereignty and security and ensure peaceful development.

A Chinese Air Force Su-30 fighter is refueled during a routine combat simulation drill over the West Pacific Sept. 12, 2016. The Chinese Air Force on Monday sent multiple aircraft models, including H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters, and air tankers, for the drill. The fleet conducted reconnaissance and early warning, sea surface cruising, inflight refueling, and achieved all the drill's targets. (Xinhua/Xiao Jianjun)

The exercises included early warning and inflight refuelling to help improve combat ability far from home.

"This is common practice for the air forces of coastal states, and a normal need for developing China's defense. The Chinese airforce will normalize this kind of exercises beyond the 'first island chain' according to international laws and regulations," said Shen Jinke, spokesperson of Chinese air force.

A Chinese Air Force H-6K bomber flies to the West Pacific, via the Bashi Strait, for a routine combat simulation drill, Sept. 12, 2016. The Chinese Air Force on Monday sent multiple aircraft models, including H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters, and air tankers, for the drill. The fleet conducted reconnaissance and early warning, sea surface cruising, inflight refueling, and achieved all the drill's targets. (Xinhua/Guo Wei)