China's leader Xi Jinping has attended a massive naval display in the disputed South China Sea.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, Mr Xi said the need for a strong navy had "never been more pressing".

More than 10,000 naval officers, 76 fighter jets and a flotilla of 48 ships and submarines took part in the drill.

Several nations claim parts of the resource-rich South China Sea, but recent years have seen Beijing reasserting its claim.

The naval display, described by Chinese media as the largest of its kind, came ahead of planned live-fire military drills by China in the narrow strait separating it from Taiwan on 18 April.

Aida AYSA,

“Khalg gazeti”