Chinese military plans live-fire exercise off southern coast
- Nine-day exercise will be held off coast of Guangdong and Guangxi
- Drill comes amid heightened tensions with US as both countries step up activity in the region
China’s military is to stage a nine-day live-fire exercise off the country’s south coast amid heightened tensions with the US.
The air force of People’s Liberation Army Southern Theatre Command said in a notice on Friday that “live-fire target attack drills” would be carried out to the west of the Leizhou peninsula off the coast of Guangdong and Guangxi.
The drills will be conducted in two phases, with the first to be held between Saturday and Monday over a wide area, while the second phase from Tuesday to Sunday will cover an 8km radius, the notice said.
“Powerful ammunition” is expected to be used in the drills and to ensure the safety of local people, any fishing activities and maritime transportation will be prohibited in the area until next Sunday the notice said.
The drills take place at a time as confrontations between China and the US continue to intensify on many fronts, from trade and technology to ideology.
China has accused the US of stepping up military reconnaissance and surveillance close to its southeast coastline over recent weeks.
