Navy plans drill in East China Sea
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail China.org.cn, July 10, 2012
The Chinese navy will soon launch a drill in waters near Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, as part of its annual exercise plan, the Ministry of National Defense said on Monday.
 |
|
Chinese navy on drill. [File photo] |
The ministry made the announcement on its website in response to reports saying that the navy will conduct a six-day, live ammunition drill starting on Tuesday in the East China Sea.
The People's Liberation Army issued two announcements on July 2 prohibiting all vessels from entering its designated exercise area during the period, and urging them to follow naval ships' instructions to guarantee safety.
According to the announcements, the exercise area is a bit bigger than before, but it is not in the disputed waters between China and its neighbors, and it is far away from the Huangyan and Diaoyu islands.
This is not the first such drill in the East China Sea. In July 2010, the PLA launched a six-day, live-fire drill shortly before a joint drill between the United States and the Republic of Korea in the Yellow Sea, close to Shandong Province.
The forthcoming drill is not a counteraction against the ongoing one between the Philippines and the US, said analysts. But it still drew attention due to the intensive drills conducted by the US and its Asian allies recently as well as Tokyo's plan of "nationalizing" part of the Diaoyu Islands.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)