Thousands of troops in drills to defend Beijing
Source: Agencies/Shanghai Daily |
August 4, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
China began a five-day air defense exercise yesterday morning with live missiles, fighter jets and thousands of servicemen.
The drills involve 12,000 service members, including those from naval and army aviation units and land-based air defense forces, according to the China News Service.
The war games will run for five days over land in the provinces of Shandong and Henan, both provinces close to the capital city of Beijing.
The "Vanguard 2010" exercises involve coordinating about 100 aircraft from the army, air force and navy, with the live firing of missiles, to simulate defending Beijing from air attack, the China News Service added.
No rehearsals were held for the exercises, which will emphasize real-time responses to unplanned events and the integration of units under separate commands.
About 100 aircraft of seven different types will take part, along with air defense missiles and artillery units.
The defense exercise comes after China criticized the United States over joint US-South Korea drills in the seas off South Korea.
But the Chinese military has said it is simply trying to be more open, denying any connection between the maneuvers and tensions in the region.
"The aim is to raise fighting capabilities in this military region and make effective preparations for military combat," the China News Service quoted Zhao Zongqi, one of the generals overseeing the drills, as saying.
China has ramped up investment in its air force, which is now equipped with Russian-designed Su-30 and Su-27 fighters.
Chinese media has reported several military drills over the past few weeks, including those of naval forces.
The Chinese army-run Military Weekly newspaper said in a commentary that while the exercises were normal and that China had no intention of "seeking hegemony," it would strike back at any threats to its interests.
"Though China's drills are low key, they send a message," it said. "If other people threaten our interests, we have enough military means and technological methods to keep them in check."
China reacted with fury to joint US and South Korea drills in the Yellow Sea last month, which ended up being largely shifted to the Sea of Japan.
China said the maneuvers threatened its security and regional stability.
The US and South Korea said they were aimed at deterring North Korea.
The drills involve 12,000 service members, including those from naval and army aviation units and land-based air defense forces, according to the China News Service.
The war games will run for five days over land in the provinces of Shandong and Henan, both provinces close to the capital city of Beijing.
The "Vanguard 2010" exercises involve coordinating about 100 aircraft from the army, air force and navy, with the live firing of missiles, to simulate defending Beijing from air attack, the China News Service added.
No rehearsals were held for the exercises, which will emphasize real-time responses to unplanned events and the integration of units under separate commands.
About 100 aircraft of seven different types will take part, along with air defense missiles and artillery units.
The defense exercise comes after China criticized the United States over joint US-South Korea drills in the seas off South Korea.
But the Chinese military has said it is simply trying to be more open, denying any connection between the maneuvers and tensions in the region.
"The aim is to raise fighting capabilities in this military region and make effective preparations for military combat," the China News Service quoted Zhao Zongqi, one of the generals overseeing the drills, as saying.
China has ramped up investment in its air force, which is now equipped with Russian-designed Su-30 and Su-27 fighters.
Chinese media has reported several military drills over the past few weeks, including those of naval forces.
The Chinese army-run Military Weekly newspaper said in a commentary that while the exercises were normal and that China had no intention of "seeking hegemony," it would strike back at any threats to its interests.
"Though China's drills are low key, they send a message," it said. "If other people threaten our interests, we have enough military means and technological methods to keep them in check."
China reacted with fury to joint US and South Korea drills in the Yellow Sea last month, which ended up being largely shifted to the Sea of Japan.
China said the maneuvers threatened its security and regional stability.
The US and South Korea said they were aimed at deterring North Korea.
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