PLA Navy begins West Pacific exercise

South China Sea Fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy sets off from a port in Zhanjiang, Guangdong province to the western Pacific Ocean for a combat drill on Oct 18, 2013. The drill is expected to last until early November. [Photo/Xinhua]

BEIJING -- The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has started a combat drill in the open sea of the West Pacific Ocean, according to the Saturday edition of the PLA Daily.

The exercise, which began Friday and will last until the beginning of November, is expected to improve high sea combat abilities and hone strategies for utilizing information technologies, the newspaper reported.

The country's three fleets -- North China Sea Fleet, East China Sea Fleet and South China Sea Fleet -- will join the drill.

It will drive training for the armed forces of China's fleets, submarines, planes and shore missiles.

The PLA Navy said the drill is in line with international laws and practices.