The Chinese navy on Tuesday conducted a massive live firing drill in the disputed South China Sea with over 100 naval ships and dozens of aircraft, in an apparent message to US which is expanding its influence in the region.
The exercise aimed to “improve maritime combat ability” involved more than 100 naval vessels, dozens of aircraft, several missile launch battalions of the Second Artillery Corps, as well as unknown number of information warfare troops, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Dozens of missiles and torpedoes and thousands of shells and jamming bombs were fired during the exercise, it said.
The drill tested the navy’s air defense and early warning system and improved its ability to react quickly, it said.
The live firing drill was part of the exercises the Chinese military is holding for the past few days.
Earlier, the military said its ongoing drills in the South China Sea was part of the annual exercises and asked the international community to avoid “excessive interpretations”.
“Holding sea drills is a common practice for navies with various countries. The annual, regular drill by the Chinese navy aims to test the troops’ real combat abilities, boost their maneuverability, search and rescue power and the abilities to fulfill diversified military missions,” Defence Ministry spokesperson Liang Yang said.
He said such a drill is in line with international laws and practices, and the navy will continue to hold similar drills in the future.
“The Nansha Islands and nearby sea areas have been a part of China’s territories since ancient times, but some neighbouring countries have long been illegally occupying some of the islands, building facilities there such as airports and even deploying heavy offensive weapons,” Liang said.
China’s claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea is strongly contested by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, <g data-gr-id="41">Brunei</g> and Taiwan.
Referring to forays of the US military into the region, Liang also said that “some powerful countries outside the region” lured other countries into the South China Sea issue, deployed <g data-gr-id="43">vessels</g> and aircraft on recon missions and held various exercises with China as the “imaginary enemy”.
This, he said posed “severe threats” to China’s territory and sovereignty security and maritime interests while harming regional security, stability and the navigation freedom in the South China Sea. The Chinese navy will always stay on high alert and keep fully prepared to boost its ability to complete missions, firmly safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests and ensure regional peace and stability, Liang said.