PLA and coastguards stage South China Sea drills days after Philippine territorial bid
The Chinese military held joint naval and air drills near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea, on Saturday. The training exercise came after Beijing hit out at the Philippines for an “illegal” attempt to extend its seabed rights off the coast of Palawan and map out its claims to the reef. “This is a necessary action taken in light of the current situation in the South China…
On Saturday, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in China conducted joint naval and air drills in the South China Sea near Scarborough Shoal, a disputed reef. The drills came in response to the Philippines' territorial bid to extend its seabed rights off the coast of Palawan. The PLA Southern Theatre Command stated that the drills aimed to test and enhance the forces' combat capabilities to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
The South China Sea is a flashpoint in the long-standing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines. Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China and Panatag Shoal in the Philippines, is one of the main areas of contention. During the drills, H-6K bombers armed with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles were deployed.
The YJ-12 missile has an estimated range of 400-500 km and could pose a significant threat to large surface combatants. The drills also included reconnaissance and warning, deterrent patrols, control of the air and sea, joint strikes, and amphibious warfare capabilities. The China Coast Guard held a separate exercise in the area, focusing on intercepting ships, boardings, inspections, and towing vessels away.
This exercise marked the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army and came amid a broader display of Chinese military power in the region.
Written by urgent.news from Reuters Business via SCMP's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
