Russian and Chinese vessels have successfully practiced anti-submarine warfare, naval combat, and air defence for vessels during joint naval exercises this week in the South China Sea, reported Russia's TASS on Thursday.

TASS cited a Russian Pacific Fleet statement that stated the drills - dubbed Maritime Cooperation 2024 – had now been completed.

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced earlier this week that the opening ceremony for the exercise was held in the Chinese port city of Zhanjiang.

The Russian Pacific Fleet said that the two navies have conducted about 30 combat drills, including joint artillery fire at sea, coastal, and air targets and joint search-and-rescue operations at sea.

The Fleet said that the main goal of the fleet was to enhance naval cooperation between Russia and the People's Republic of China, as well as maintain peace and security in the Asia-Pacific Region.

The drills come after a separate joint patrol of Russian Pacific Fleet ships in the north Pacific. This included two corvettes - the Rezky and Gromky - according to the Russian Defence Ministry.

China claims to control almost all of the South China Sea. This includes the Second Thomas Shoal which is disputed. The Philippines has a rusted warship there that was deliberately grounded by the Philippines in 1999, to support its maritime claims. It's been at the center of a recent standoff with China.

As tensions rise, U.S. officials have reminded Beijing of their obligations under the mutual defence treaty with the Philippines.

In 2022, when Vladimir Putin visited Beijing days before sending tens-of-thousands of troops to Ukraine, the two countries declared a partnership with "no limitations". (Reporting and Editing by Andrew Osborn).