A pilot takes part in the exercise. [Photo by Zhang Kai/chinadaily.com.cn]

China carried out its first live-fire exercise of its aircraft carrier battle group in the Bohai Sea recently, the People's Liberation Army Navy said on Thursday.

Tens of ships and aircraft from the CNS Liaoning carrier battle group and the North Sea Fleet participated in the exercise and they fired more than 10 air-to-air, anti-ship and air defense missiles, the PLA Navy said in a statement.

The CNS Liaoning performed various drills with several destroyers and frigates, involving scenarios such as reconnaissance, aircraft interception, sea strikes as well as missile defense. Multiple groups of J-15 carrier-borne fighter jets used air-to-air and anti-ship missiles to hit targets during the exercise, according to the PLA Navy.

Videos showing CNS Liaoning and J-15s firing missiles were broadcasted on China Central Television, the first time such images have been displayed to the public.

The statement also quoted heads from the PLA Navy's training bureau as saying that the event was planned as part of the aircraft carrier's training schedule and aimed at verifying capabilities of personnel and weapons.