Full coverage: The South China Sea Issue

China has started military exercises in the South China Sea today and will run until July 11th. China's maritime safety administration said that other ships are prohibited from entering the waters during that period.

The drills will finish one day before the arbitration court in The Hague announces its decision on the South China Sea territorial dispute, in a case unilaterally initiated by the Philippines.

China has insisted that the Permanent Court of Arbitration has no jurisdiction over the issue and has boycotted the proceedings.