Chinese and Russian navies today concluded their joint military exercise in waters off the southern province of Guangdong, with a drill to "seize" an island, in a symbolic move by Beijing whose claims over the South China Sea was struck down by an international tribunal.<br/><br/>Though held off Guangdong coast far from nine-dash line claim over South China Sea, the drill has a strategic value for China as it comes nearly two months after the international tribunal order.<br/><br/>Under pressure from the US and Japan, China regards the drills as significant as they demonstrate Russia's backing to it, downplaying reports of international isolation.<br/><br/>Besides the SCS which has numerous islands with rich mineral deposits, China also stakes claims over the islands held by Japan in the East China Sea.<br/><br/>Russian President Vladimir Putin has backed China's decision to reject the SCS tribunal verdict which the US and Japan said is legally binding.