Chinese bombers, fighters and aerial refuelling aircraft flew through the Bashi Channel on Monday for exercises in the Western Pacific. The channel separates China's Taiwan and the Philippines.

A Chinese Air Force Su-30 fighter is refueled during a routine combat simulation drill over the West Pacific Sept. 12, 2016. [Xinhua]

The Chinese air force says these were normal, annual, planned exercises to raise the air force's ability to defend national sovereignty and security and ensure peaceful development.

The exercises included early warning and inflight refuelling to help improve combat ability far from home.

"This is common practice for the air forces of coastal states, and a normal need for developing China's defense. The Chinese airforce will normalize this kind of exercises beyond the 'first island chain' according to international laws and regulations," said Shen Jinke, spokesperson of Chinese air force.