Chinese warships take part in terrifying battle drills

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The destroyer Taizhou fires missile during a drill 

on August 7, 2017 in China

CHINA’S mighty navy flexed its muscles in live-fire 

drills in seas neighbouring the Korean Peninsula – 

amid tensions over Kim Jong-un’s pursuit of

 nuclear weaponry.

The “large-scale” exercises were conducted off China’s

 east coast in the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf and included

 the firing of dozens of armed missiles.

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Four missile frigates fire live missiles towards

 targets in the Yellow Sea

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The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) also held its 

live-fire drill in the Bohai Sea

The impressive show came just hours after Donald Trump won his battle for China to back him as he ordered North Korea to quit testing ­nukes.

Beijing sent its stark warning to its neighbour after the UN finally hit Kim with severe trade sanctions over recent ICBM tests.

Naval forces including dozens of ships, more than 10 aircraft, submarines and an unspecified number of coastal defence personnel took part in the drills.

The Chinese ministry said they were aimed at testing weapons and honing the military’s abilities in conducting coastal assaults and intercepting air targets.

The ministry did not specify how long the drills were to last but a four-day shipping ban ending on Tuesday was issued for the area where the drills were held.

It was not immediately clear whether the war games were meant to send any sort of message or, if they were, to who.

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Two frigates sail in formation during the high-profile drill

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It was not clear whether the war games were meant 

to send any sort of message

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China h is currently engaged in the modernisation 

of its armed forces

But the announcement comes just days after China backed the US-drafted UN Security Council resolution that significantly stiffened sanctions against Pyongyang for its pursuit of nuclear weapons systems.

In the wake of the resolution’s passing, China has reiterated its resolve to side with the international community in opposing Kim’s nuclear weaponisation and aggressive sabre-rattling.

China has for some time been engaged in a modernisation of its once-backward armed forces, seeking military clout commensurate with its economic might, a drive that has caused unease among its regional neighbours.

China also has consistently railed against recurring US-South Korean wargames that are directed at deterring a North Korean attack, but which China blames for fanning regional tensions.

North Korea vowed Monday that the tough new UN sanctions would not stop it from developing its nuclear arsenal, rejecting talks and angrily threatening retaliation against the United States.

Today the kingdom vowed to make the “US pay dearly” for championing the toughest ever international crackdown to target it.