China's PLA Southern Theater Command carried out joint maritime and air exercises on Saturday around Huangyan Dao in the South China Sea. The report said the operation covered nearby waters and airspace, showing a coordinated military presence in the area.
A notable element of the drill was the reported involvement of an H-6K bomber equipped with YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles. That detail suggests the exercise was designed to showcase maritime strike capability as part of a broader combined operation.
The report also said experts viewed the move as a response to a series of recent Philippine activities. In that context, the exercise appears intended to send a signal about Beijing's readiness to answer developments around Huangyan Dao with visible military action.
The latest drill highlights how tensions in the South China Sea continue to be reflected in both patrols and larger joint operations. By deploying air and maritime forces together near Huangyan Dao, the PLA emphasized coordination, readiness and sustained attention on a sensitive flashpoint.
