China’s navy drills in 4 regions show ability to counter US, observers say
- Exercises held at roughly the same time in South China Sea, East China Sea, Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf
- US last month conducted air defence exercises in the disputed South China Sea and indicated greater willingness to confront China there
Experts said the timing of the drills was intended to signal a capability to mobilise forces in multiple locations, even though Beijing was not aiming to fight a war against the US.
Maritime safety administrations in four locations issued notices between Friday and Sunday announcing drills, and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said exercises had been completed in another. The locations included two in the South China Sea, one in the East China Sea, one further north in the Yellow Sea, and one in the Bohai Gulf, the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea.
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On the same days, north of Hainan but still in southern China, an area off Guangdong province in the South China Sea had also been cordoned off to marine traffic while exercises took place.