CCTV — The People’s Liberation Army air force recently conducted a combat air patrol in the South China Sea, said a military spokesperson on Thursday.
A team of various bombers completed the routine patrol, said spokesman Shen Jinke.
Chinese bombers also conducted training exercises after passing over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait. The H-6K bombers took off from an inland airport in north China, according to Shen.
“The H-6K bombers flying over the Miyako Strait took off from a hinterland airport in Guanzhong. Their mission was to fly through the ‘First Island Chain’ in formation. The various bombers flying over the Bashi Channel and then the South China Sea took off to regroup into formation. All warplanes have completed their training sorties and patrolling missions on the same day,” said Shen Jinke, the PLA Air Force spokesman.
According to this spokesman, the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has directed the Air Force to combat-oriented and combat-ready trainings and patrols to better tackle possible aerial challenges over the seas.
“Currently, the PLA Air Force is transforming into a modernized strategic service capable of combating all over the territorial air space. The 400,000 Air Force service people all bear in mind their missions for the New Era. They are working harder to enhance striking, defending and force projecting capabilities, to better safeguard national sovereignty, security, peace and development,” said Shen.
The Chinese air force started regular high seas training in 2015.