China's latest military and law-enforcement drills around Huangyan Dao demonstrate that the country is genuinely committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea and safeguarding navigational safety, a military expert said on Sunday.
Senior Colonel Zhang Chi, a professor at China's National Defense University, made the remarks in an interview with China Media Group after naval and air units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command conducted a joint training exercise in the waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao earlier in the day. The China Coast Guard (CCG) also held drills on Sunday focused on maritime rights protection, law enforcement, and management and control in the waters near Huangyan Dao.
Zhang described the drills as a necessary response to the Philippines' repeated efforts to undermine peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The exercises focused on two core priorities, the expert said. The first was rights protection and law enforcement, aimed at countering Philippine attempts to breach China Coast Guard control lines near Huangyan Dao and establish an illegal presence. The second was joint maritime and air search and rescue, conducted along a vital shipping lane that carries one-third of global maritime trade.
"The South China Sea is one of the world's most important shipping corridors. However, ship breakdowns and maritime accidents do occur. In this drill, our naval and air forces focused on real-world scenarios such as joint ship-aircraft search and rescue, vessel damage control, and maritime-air transfer and evacuation, with a particular focus on rescuing people who fall overboard and handling offshore platform emergencies," Zhang said.
"This fully reflects China's active role in fulfilling its responsibilities as a major country, its commitment to a maritime community with a shared future, and its humanitarian spirit. It also proves that China is truly committed to peace and stability in the South China Sea and to safeguarding navigational safety," he said.
The drills also showcased key capabilities of the Chinese military and law enforcement authorities. In terms of timing, they served both as a timely response to the Philippines' provocations and as a real-world test of the combat readiness of PLA and China's coast guard.
"The first capability is military-coast guard coordination, exerting pressure and deterrence on multiple fronts. The second is air-sea coordination, enabling three-dimensional reconnaissance and control of the battlefield. The third is readiness to fight at any time and to respond promptly to provocations," Zhang said.
"Right after the Philippines wrapped up its farcical joint military drill, our military and coast guard forces launched the drills in the waters and airspace around Huangyan Dao -- a clear display of our rapid response and effective handling capabilities. Meanwhile, the exercises took place during our Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, which fully demonstrates that the military and coast guard remain on constant alert and ready to fight at any time," said the expert.
Huangyan Dao drills show China's true commitment to South China Sea peace: expert
