China Proposed Joint Maritime Drill

China's defence minister Chang Wanquan

China has proposed joint maritime drills with South East Asian nations in the hotly contested South China Sea in 2016.

Beijing is currently hosting an informal meeting for defence ministers from the region.
China's Defence Minister Chang Wanquan has suggested drills for "maritime rescues and disaster relief".

China's reclamation activities in the sea in recent years have raised tensions with its neighbours.
The Philippines and Vietnam, in particular, have overlapping claims with China.
China's proposal comes a week after the US announced it was considering sending ships to an area of the South China Sea China has claimed for itself, a suggestion which sparked strong words from China.

-BBC