Chinese military has unveiled a range of new weapons, including long-range missiles, amid calls by its top officials to be combat-ready following a landmark verdict by an UN-backed tribunal that struck down China’s “historical rights” in the South China Sea.
The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) which looks after the South China Sea front has unveiled a series of new weapons for sea and air combat during a visit by top military officers.
The weapons were shown on state television in the wake of a landmark international tribunal rejecting Beijing’s claims to almost all of the South China Sea and upheld the claim of the Philippines.
Military experts said the rare public display was intended to show that the newly formed Southern Theatre Command, was well-prepared for any potential military confrontation with the US, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Friday.
The display conceded with the visit to the centre by General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, China’s highest military official after President Xi Jinping. Mr Xi heads the CMC and the overall high command of the PLA. Mr Fan has called on troops to be ready for combat and for improvements in equipment and logistical preparation. Officers and soldiers need to be aware of current threats to China’s sovereignty, security and interests, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted him as saying in an official statement.
He asked the military to research combat methods and strategies pertinent to different situations and foster special forces reserved for key missions and scenarios. “Air and sea patrols should be tightly organised to handle all kinds of emergencies and safeguard air and sea security in border areas,” Mr Fan said. Mr Fan was accompanied by Gen. Ma Xiaotian, commander of the PLA Air Force and General Wei Fenghe, chief of the army’s Rocket Force, which operates the country’s missile arsenal.
Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie said Mr Fan’s visit indicated that the southern command could carry out joint combat operations of land, rocket, Naval and Air Forces as well as other strategic support forces.
