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China Announces First Bomber Formation Patrol Over South China Sea After USJapanPhilippine Drills

Beijing frames the flight as a warning to Manila over joint patrols with external forces.

Overview

  • The PLA Southern Theatre Command said bombers flew in formation with fighter jets over disputed waters on Sunday.
  • Spokesperson Senior Colonel Tian Junli issued a solemn warning to the Philippines, accusing it of colluding with outside powers.
  • State-run reports described this as the first publicly announced bomber formation patrol by China in the area.
  • The flight followed a two-day maritime exercise involving the United States, Japan and the Philippines that ran from Friday to Saturday.
  • PLA Daily separately warned Japan that intervening in a Taiwan contingency could risk turning the country into a battlefield.