PLA, China Coast Guard Step Up Patrols Around Huangyan Dao
Dragon Media News Desk
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Southern Theater Command and the China Coast Guard conducted coordinated patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of Huangyan Dao and surrounding areas on Thursday, deploying new equipment including the Type 054B frigate Qinzhou and the JL-10 advanced trainer aircraft.
According to a statement issued by the PLA Southern Theater Command, naval and air units carried out combat-readiness patrols aimed at safeguarding China’s territorial sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea.
The command said Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China’s territory and noted that patrols in the area had been intensified since July in response to what it described as rights violations and provocative activities.
Video footage released by the command showed the Type 054B frigate Qinzhou, bearing hull number 555, and a Chinese military aircraft issuing warnings to a suspected Philippine reconnaissance aircraft approaching the area.
“Philippine military aircraft, this is the Chinese Air Force. You are 40 kilometres away from the airspace of China’s Huangyan Dao. Do not approach any closer, otherwise you will be intercepted,” the warning said.
Chinese military affairs expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times that the footage marked the first known appearance of the JL-10, also known internationally as the L-15, in a combat-readiness patrol mission around Huangyan Dao.
Although primarily designed as an advanced trainer, the JL-10 can also perform attack and ground-support missions. Song said its relatively strong low-speed performance makes it suitable for monitoring and escorting slower government and reconnaissance aircraft.
He noted that many government aircraft, particularly those powered by propeller engines, fly considerably more slowly than conventional fighter jets. The JL-10 can therefore conduct close-range patrol and interception missions more effectively in certain circumstances.
Song added that the aircraft’s adaptability to different airfields and its ability to undertake maritime and air-control missions make it suitable for operations over distant seas and open waters.
On the same day, the China Coast Guard conducted law-enforcement patrols in the territorial sea of Huangyan Dao and surrounding waters.
The Coast Guard said it had intensified patrols since July and taken measures including verbal warnings, route-blocking and the use of water cannon in accordance with relevant laws and regulations to drive away vessels it described as illegally entering and disrupting the area.
Footage released by the Coast Guard showed Chinese vessels detecting several Philippine vessels approaching waters near Huangyan Dao and ordering them to leave.
“Philippine vessel 3012, this is China Coast Guard 3302. You are approaching the territorial waters of China’s Huangyan Dao. Stop your illegal actions and leave the territorial waters immediately,” a Chinese Coast Guard vessel said in the footage.
The China Coast Guard said the patrols were intended to strengthen the orderly management of the waters and defend China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.
