(File photo)

On Sept. 25, the China Air Force dispatched over 40 fighters of various types for blue water training in the West Pacific. Meanwhile, bombers and fighters conducted a routine patrol in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), People’s Daily Online reported.

Military expert Wang Mingliang told People’s Daily Online that the scale of this blue water training was the biggest since China started offering public reports on such activities. In addition, the training took place only 12 days after the last training, which is the shortest dividing interval ever.

Shen Jinke, spokesperson of China Air Force, explained that over 40 fighters participated in the training, including Xi’an H-6K, Su-30 and refueling planes. The formation flew over the Miyako Strait and practiced exercises such as air defense early warning, sea assault and air refueling.

According to Shen, the training in the West Pacific and patrol of ADIZ are both necessary measures to defend state sovereignty and national security, and to safeguard China's peace and development.