The South China Sea has been at the centre of a dispute between China and other Southeast Asia countries all claiming control of the region. The US has repeatedly intervened to maintain the peace and to ensure the free navigation of vessels through the sea but Beijing has been steadily pushing its boundaries to stake its claim. But China has now sparked fears of further escalation after conducting a series of live-fair drill in the region, forcing Australia to scramble a group of frigates to the region amid growing tension.
Video shared by Chinese media captured footage of a brigade of the Naval Air Force under the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command performing a series of exercises across the South China Sea area.
Beijing publicly announced the week-long drill would take place last week as the Chinese Government insisted the PLA would test anti-ship and anti-aircraft capacities with “powerful ammunition”.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said maritime live-fire exercises usually include shooting aircraft and surface vessels to test air force skills.
Mr Song said: “Such drills could train to secure air superiority and target hostile warships in the SCS.”
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Chinese media reported in early July Beijing’s air force had already held a series of live-fire drills and had deployed more fighter jets to its bases around the South China Sea.
The drills come amidst growing tension with Australia after Canberra signalled its full support of the US and its Southeast Asia allies with a rejection of China’s claim to the South China Sea.
The Australian Government insisted there is “no legal basis” to Beijing’s territorial and maritime demands over the region.
Canberra deployed five warships to the area to join the US and Japan in a series of military exercises.
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It added: “Australia also rejects China’s claims to maritime zones generated by submerged features, or low-tide elevations in a manner inconsistent with the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“Land building activities or other forms of artificial transformation cannot change the classification of a feature under UNCLOS.
“The Australian Government does not accept that artificially transformed features can ever acquire the status of an island.”
Australia’s opposition leader Anthony Albanese welcomed the Government’s declaration and insister Canberra must defend the “national interest” of the country.
Mr Albanese added: “We also need to stand up for international law.
“And the international law of the sea provides for freedom of navigation which is absolutely critical to international trade.”