More than 100 Chinese naval vessels and dozens of military aircraft conducted live-fire maneuvers in the South China Sea on Tuesday.
Several battalions of the Second Artillery Force - responsible for launching missiles - and soldiers tasked with deploying electronic countermeasures faced off against the ships and aircraft in the drill, which was designed to simulate battle in a complex electromagnetic environment, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Daily reported.
Both sides launched dozens of missiles and torpedoes and fired thousands of shells.
According to a naval officer, the drill, covering the largest area ever, was aimed to enhance the PLA's capabilities in IT-based warfare. Reconnaissance, anti-reconnaissance, interference and anti-interference both on the sea and in the air were designed to be more difficult than ever in this exercise.
"Such live-fire maneuvers have effectively tested the troops' new weapons and joint warfighting capabilities," said a leader of the PLA South China Sea fleet.
The 10-day-long training exercise in the South China Sea kicked off amid ongoing tensions in the region. "The drills are regular military exercises scheduled in the annual plan, that do not target any other country," the Ministry of National Defense said on July 22.
