China air force conducts west Pacific drill, patrols ADIZ

Aircraft from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force have reached more than 1,000 km beyond the First Island Chain for a drill in the western Pacific, a military spokesman said.

Multiple types of planes, including the H-6K medium-long range bomber, flew over the western Pacific via the Miyako Strait on Friday for an open sea drill, which is the fourth the PLA has conducted this year, said PLA Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke.

The spokesman also announced that the PLA has sent H-6K bombers and several other types of fighters and early warning aircraft to patrol in China's East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ).

Shen said the drills have improved the air force's combat abilities over long distances and over the open sea.

He stressed that such drills conform to common practices of maritime nations and are out of normal needs of China's national defense and army construction.

"In line with international laws and practices, these open sea drills beyond the First Island Chain will proceed in consideration of actual situations," the spokesman said.

Also, Shen said that over the two years since the establishment of the East China Sea ADIZ, the PLA keeps routine patrols in this zone and has been swift in identifying and monitoring foreign military aircraft entering the ADIZ.

The air force also took "relevant measures" in response to some threats of "abnormal and unclear situations" to safeguard the country's air security, according to Shen. Endi