South China Sea: PLA ‘expels ship’ near Fiery Cross Reef
- Chinese military deploys speed boats in response to approaching vessel, state media reports
- Incident is one of more than 100 involving the garrison, according to commander
The report did not specify the nationality of the vessel, its type or when the incident occurred in the area known as Yongshu Reef in China.
It also did not air footage of eviction. Instead, it showed a re-enactment of People’s Liberation Army troops detecting the target, guarding positions on the island and sending speedboats to chase the ship away.
According to the re-enactment, soldiers at the reef’s radar station identified a suspicious target 15km (9 miles) away and approaching, prompting battalion commander Wang Kaijuan to order his troops to take forward positions.
A dozen garrison soldiers took their weapons in positions nearby, while others boarded at least three CSK-181 light tactical vehicles. Two military speedboats headed towards the target at high speed.
CCTV said Wang had responded to more than 100 similar incidents “face to face with opponents from different countries”, without saying whether they all took place in the Spratlys.