Jul.22 (China Military News cited from The Australian) -- TENSION is rising in the Yellow Sea after the US promised fresh country-specific sanctions against North Korea, as plans for US and South Korea naval exercises drew fresh fire from China.

US Defence Secretary Robert Gates and his South Korean counterpart, Kim Tae-young, announced on Tuesday that long-expected naval exercises would be held next week and were designed "to send a clear message to North Korea that its aggressive behaviour must stop".

But while China tacitly supported the UN's June 9 reprimand of North Korea for sinking the South Korean ship Cheonan and killing 46 sailors -- which stopped short of directly handing out blame -- it is furious about the military show of strength on its doorstep.

PLA Navy Y-8J Marine Surveillance Aircraft

Yesterday, the White House threw more weight behind the exercises, which were bolstered by the unveiling on Wednesday night of fresh sanctions targeting North Korea's leaders, announced by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Seoul.

"It's important to understand these are exercises that are defensive in nature," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said. "Defence sends a clear signal of deterrence to the aggression of North Korea, and in support of the defence of South Korea.

"Certainly we are strongly supportive of exercises that demonstrate South Korea's defending itself."

Ri Tong-il, a spokesman for the North Korean delegation at the ASEAN Regional Forum, said yesterday that the new sanctions violated a UN statement issued after the sinking of a South Korean warship.

China, North Korea's closest ally and most important source of economic aid and 70 per cent of its trade, has refused to criticise its neighbour over the sinking.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang expressed "deep concern" over the US-South Korea announcement.

"We resolutely oppose foreign military ships and planes coming to the Yellow Sea and other waters near China to engage in activities that affect China's security interests," Mr Qin said.

It was the sixth time this month that Beijing had protested against the joint drills, which were delayed following Chinese opposition.

China's concerns were expected to be aired directly by Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi to Mrs Clinton overnight at the ASEAN conference in Vietnam.

"We will be consulting with China (on) what we think (are) additional steps that it can take," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said.

"The secretary will have a chance to explain to Foreign Minister Yang what we have in mind here, and the way forward not only on issues related to North Korea, but also on issues related to Iran."