South China Sea Photo: VCG

The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday released more details of the recent joint naval and air combat patrol in the South China Sea, which further illustrates the PLA's firm resolve and strong capability to safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, according to Chinese military analysts on Tuesday. 

Senior Colonel Tian Junli, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, revealed Tuesday that the Command had organized naval and air combat patrol in the waters of the South China Sea, as well as practices including sea-air joint assaults and naval fleet readiness cruises from April 7 to 8.  

Tian emphasized that the forces under the Command would continue to strengthen training and preparedness, maintaining high vigilance at all times, resolutely defending national sovereignty and security, and safeguarding peace and stability in the South China Sea region.  

On April 7, forces from the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines also conducted their first-ever "maritime cooperation activities" within the Philippines' so-called exclusive economic zone. 

The training included anti-submarine warfare exercises, communication drills and naval fleet training, aimed at enhancing interoperability among the participating countries' maritime forces. 

Six warships and four aircraft from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the US participated in the joint patrols as part of the "maritime cooperation activities" in the South China Sea. This included the aforementioned participating warships from the US, Japan and Australia, along with three Philippine warships, as well as two helicopter carriers and two P-8 anti-submarine patrol aircraft from the US and Australia.

Military experts reached by the Global Times on Tuesday viewed the training activities conducted by the PLA Southern Theater Command as a direct response to the joint exercises of the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines. This can be described as "tit-for-tat," demonstrating that "all military activities that disturb the South China Sea are under control," experts said.

Military expert Zhang Xuefeng told the Global Times that the maritime and air forces deployed by the PLA are evidently stronger, making any force causing trouble or provocation in the South China Sea reconsider their provocative actions. 

"Fighter jet patrols and naval fleet cruises demonstrate that the PLA closely monitors foreign ships and aircraft, preventing them from taking advantage of loopholes. Meanwhile, maritime and air joint assaults highlight the demonstration of strength, serving as a deterrent," Zhang explained.

Another military expert, who preferred not to be named, told the Global Times that the "fighter jet patrols, maritime and aerial joint assaults, and naval fleet readiness cruises" by the Command are all routine combat readiness training activities, but they still indicate that the PLA is prepared to respond to emergencies at any time and has the capability to defeat any enemy.

"From the exercises conducted during the joint maneuvers of the four countries, the PLA Southern Theater Command has a counter response," the expert said. 

Fighter jet patrols and naval fleet readiness cruises demonstrate their combat capabilities during peacetime, while maritime and aerial joint assaults demonstrate the transition from peacetime to wartime. Maritime and aerial joint assaults mainly target sea and air targets, while also engaging in anti-missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and conducting comprehensive maritime and aerial defense, representing a system combat capability," the military expert analyzed. 

This indicates that our naval and aerial forces have strong capabilities in transitioning between peace and wartime, conducting monitoring through actions like patrols and readiness cruises during peacetime, the expert explained. 

Once faced with provocative actions from opponents, military actions will be taken to retaliate. Currently, the situation in the South China Sea is tense, with external countries coordinating with a certain country to carry out various provocations, showing a trend of continuous escalation. Therefore, the PLA must strengthen targeted military preparations to be ready to respond to emergencies in the South China Sea at any time, according to the expert.

"The PLA Southern Theater Command's further disclosure of training details indicates that the PLA maintains a high level of vigilance and tight monitoring of the maritime and aerial situation in the South China Sea, and is capable of responding forcefully to any infringement or provocations," military expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times . 

The disclosure of these details also indicates that the PLA is always training, constantly improving its joint strike capabilities against maritime targets, enhancing maritime defense operations and resolutely defending national sovereignty and maritime rights, he noted.