Chinese military conducts exercises in South China Sea and Taiwan Strait
By
Gary Alvernia
20 April 2018
Amid rising tensions in East Asia, the Chinese military recently conducted major naval exercises in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. While the Western media emphasised their size and supposedly menacing character, the drills are in response to Washington’s provocative and confrontational stance toward Beijing.
Since the end of last month, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy has completed two major exercises off the coast of Hainan Island in the South China Sea, followed this Wednesday by a “live-fire” exercise in the Taiwan Strait.
The naval drills were the largest ever, with an estimated 10,000 personnel, 76 aircraft and 48 warships involved, including China’s only aircraft carrier and one of its nuclear submarines. Further underscoring the importance of the exercises, Chinese President Xi Jinping was present, along with all members of China’s top military body, the Central Military Commission.
Reviewing the assembled armada, Xi delivered a speech, urging the navy to urgently become a world class fleet because “a mighty navy is an important pillar of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation … Today’s people’s navy is standing in the east of the world with a new attitude.”
Facing US challenges to Chinese interests in Asia and internationally, China has been transforming its navy from one devoted to coastal defence to a blue water fleet capable of operating around the world.
Describing the exercise as a routine operation, the Defence Ministry stated: “Its aim is to test the training capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army … It is also aimed at improving combat abilities of the whole military.” While it claimed the…