BEIJING - A navy fleet of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will conduct a training drill in west Pacific international waters in mid- to late June, according to a press release issued Thursday by the Chinese Defense Ministry.

The press release said that the training is in line with relevant international laws and is not targeted at any specific country, in response to reports saying that Chinese navy ships previously passed through waters between Japan's islands of Okinawa and Miyako.

"This will be a regular drill according to the annual plan (of the PLA)," said the press release.