Chinese Army Conducts "Combat Readiness" Exercises with Warplanes

(MENAFN) The Chinese military carried out “combat readiness” exercises on Saturday in the contested South China Sea, involving both naval and air forces.

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army organized a patrol of warships and aircraft in the waters and airspace surrounding Huangyan Dao, also known as Scarborough Shoal or Bajo de Masinloc, which is claimed by the Philippines. The area has long been a point of tension between Beijing and Manila.

“Since January, the theater command has continuously strengthened naval and air patrols in the waters and airspace around the island, resolutely countering provocations and infringements by individual countries in the region, firmly safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and security, and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea,” the Chinese military said.

A video released shows the participation of the H-6K bomber, armed with YJ-12 anti-ship missiles, and the Type 055 destroyer Xianyang, along with other ships and aircraft, in the drills.

The exercises follow recent announcements regarding investigations into two senior military officials: Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Liu Zhenli, a member of the commission and chief of staff of its Joint Staff Department. The commission, led by President Xi Jinping, oversees the operational readiness and overall capabilities of China’s armed forces.

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