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Catherine Wong

There are fresh signs from the Chinese and the American armed forces that tensions over the South China Sea will continue under the new US administration.
The Chinese military’s Southern Theatre Command conducted a live-fire drill to test its response to repeated missile attacks in a “far sea”, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Saturday without saying when or where the exercise took place.
The drill involved the guided-missile destroyer Yinchuan, guided-missile frigate Hengyang, the amphibious dock landing ship Wuzhishan, and the support ship Chagan Hu, according to the report.
The Southern Theatre Command is responsible for overseeing the vast waters claimed by China in the South China Sea.
South China Sea: the dispute that could start a military conflict
At the same time, the US has been stepping up reconnaissance activities in the area.
The South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative said a US surveillance ship had been sailing around the Paracel Islands since Tuesday.
“USNS Impeccable is sailing around the Paracel Islands, and where is the destination? This kind of regular track points is unusual for a reconnaissance ship in this area,” the Beijing think tank said on Twitter on Friday.
South China Sea: how the US Navy aims to better home in on targets
The US also sent a reconnaissance aircraft to fly over the South China Sea off the coast of Taiwan on Saturday, the think tank said in another post.
The USNS Impeccable was at the centre of a confrontation in 2009 when the unarmed ocean surveillance vessel was shadowed by five Chinese ships off the southern island of Hainan. The incident sparked a diplomatic row between Beijing and Washington.


Tensions have been rising between China and the US, with Beijing repeatedly protesting against US military operations in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.
Earlier this week, at least 10 Chinese bombers, including the Chinese navy’s most advanced H-6J aircraft, took part in maritime strike exercises in the waters immediately after an escalation of the US military presence in the area.


Can Manila’s South China Sea strategy of defiance and diplomacy hold?

Why Chinese navy still trails the US in high-stakes game of underwater aircraft recovery

Xi’s new year message to military reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

The Philippines rebukes China over travel ban on Kalayaan officials

South China Sea

South China Sea: PLA stages live-fire missile drill, US Navy on Paracels patrol

China’s Southern Theatre Command tested its response to repeated missile attacks. Photo: Handout

South China Sea: how the US Navy aims to better home in on targets

The exercise was carried out by the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier strike group. Photo: US Navy

South China Sea: why France is flexing its muscles in the contested waters

French amphibious assault ship the Tonnerre was sent to join three months of training and patrols in the Pacific. Photo: Twitter

Chinese bombers in strike exercises after US escalation in South China Sea

Some of the personnel taking part in the PLA Southern Theatre Command’s bomber exercises in the South China Sea after the Lunar New Year. Photo: CCTV

South China Sea: how the French navy is charting its own course between China and the US

The French frigate Surcouf is taking part in France’s annual Jeanne d’Arc operations in the South China Sea. Photo: Twitter

News

China

Diplomacy


Chinese military tests response to repeated attack far offshore, state media report
Beijing think tank says US unarmed ocean surveillance vessel has been near disputed islands since Tuesday



Chinese military tests response to repeated attack far offshore, state media report.


South China Sea: PLA stages live-fire missile drill, US Navy on Paracels patrol

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Chinese military tests response to repeated attack far offshore, state media report Beijing think tank says US unarmed ocean surveillance vessel has been near disputed islands since Tuesday

Chinese military tests response to repeated attack far offshore, state media report

Beijing think tank says US unarmed ocean surveillance vessel has been near disputed islands since Tuesday