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| Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) exercises |
China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is ready to face the United States (US) military provocation that could occur during the Beijing Winter Olympics which will start on February 4.
China's Ministry of National Defense spokesman Senior Colonel Wu Qian made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday, January 27, 2022. The statement came because the US has recently been conducting frequent military activities near China.
The US Navy has made an announcement that a US nuclear submarine has arrived in Guam and several carrier strike groups are gathering near China for military exercises.
On January 20, the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold illegally entered China's territorial waters in the Xisha archipelago without permission. The PLA's Southern Theater Command organizes air and naval forces that track, monitor, and warn US warships to stay away.
It was the first time a US warship passed through China's territorial waters in the South China Sea in 2022. The US move was considered a violation of China's sovereignty and security, and undermined peace and stability in the region. "We firmly demand the US to immediately stop such provocations, or the US will face serious consequences caused by this accident," said Tian, spokesman for the PLA Southern Theater Command, quoted by Zonajakarta.com from the Global Times.
The incident led analysts to think that the US and its allies could continue to hold military exercises near China during the Winter Olympics in Beijing. In response, Wu Qian said the Chinese military was fully prepared for any external provocation or emergency that could occur during the Olympics.
China Central Television (CCTV) on Wednesday reported that a brigade affiliated with the naval aviation force of the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted day and night flight drills at Yongxing Island airfield.
The report said in the morning, four warplanes formed two aerial formations, flew at low altitude close to sea level, stealthily approached the target and launched mock attacks.
Reports said the navy's Jet-11Bs were also involved in the exercise. As a heavy fighter jet, the J-11B is a good choice for operating at airfields on the islands and reefs of the South China Sea. That's because the J-11B Jet has a long range, high durability, and large capacity.
An expert on Chinese military aviation, Fu Qianshao said the exercise was necessary in safeguarding national sovereignty and security because the Xisha archipelago and its surrounding waters are an inherent territory of China.