Chinese Military Conducts Anti-Aircraft Gunfire Training Targeting US Reconnaissance Aircraft

China Conducts Daily Military Drills Amid South China Sea Tensions

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The Chinese People's Liberation Army conducted anti-aircraft firing drills in the South China Sea, reported the Chinese state-run Global Times on the 13th (local time).

The drills involved launching simulated targets into the airspace over the South China Sea, followed by radar detection and identification, location tracking, and live ammunition firing using anti-aircraft guns, in a format resembling actual combat, according to the Global Times.

The training deployed two types of anti-aircraft guns: 35mm (PGZ-09) and 25mm (PGZ-95).

Chinese experts assessed that the People's Liberation Army's drills were intended to deter U.S. military aircraft flying over the South China Sea, and warned that the likelihood of accidents caused by military miscalculations in the region has increased.

An anonymous Chinese military expert stated, "Through this drill, the People's Liberation Army showcased the highest level of anti-aircraft guns," adding, "This demonstrated the Chinese military's readiness to respond in order to safeguard national security."

Recently, as U.S. military aircraft repeatedly flew over the South China Sea, Chinese authorities strongly protested, stating, "The United States has sent military aircraft over the South China Sea more than 2,000 times in the first half of this year alone."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.