Watch: President Xi reviews Chinese Navy in South China Sea
President Xi reviews navy in the South China Sea
China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning was also present during Xi's visit.
As US carriers Theodore Roosevelt appeared in the South China Sea, China's President Xi in a surprise visit in the area inspected the Chinese Navy.
Several naval vessels including aircraft groups of carrier-borne helicopters, anti-submarine patrols were part of the inspection team.
China's first aircraft carrier Liaoning was also present during Xi's visit.
The Chinese navy review involved 48 warships, 76 aircraft, and over 10,000 officers and sailors.
China is involved in long-ranging disputes with several countries around the South China Sea including Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia and Indonesia over claims to the islands.
The US has over the past one year sent its Naval feet in the South China Sea even as China has criticised the move.
US warships have been regularly conducting "freedom of navigation" operations near the South China Sea islands with several Naval warships sailing across the area in the presence of the Chinese navy.