BEIJING, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- China has recently sent Su-35 fighter jets for a joint combat patrol mission in the South China Sea area, according to the People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force Wednesday.

The deployment is part of the air force's efforts to carry out military training under combat conditions, it said.

The Su-35 fighter jets participating in such training are expected to enhance the air force's combat capability under long-distance or high-sea conditions, it said.

The PLA air force said it would continue to attach importance to science and technology, rule of law and sound planning in its training to improve its ability to win wars in the new era.