Expert: Chinese Air Force capable of simultaneous combat on different fronts

Aircraft from the Chinese Air Force flew over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait on Nov. 25 during a West Pacific drill. The drill indicates that the remote sea combat capability of the Chinese Air Force has significantly improved, and that forces can simultaneously meet combat requirements in two different directions, said military expert Yin Zhuo in an interview with People’s Daily Online.

The drill involved "multiple types of warplanes," meeting the set target, said Shen Jinke, an Air Force spokesperson, responding to media inquiries on Nov. 26.

The Chinese Air Force is a strategic military force, and its strategic power should match national interests, said Shen. The Air Force will continue to conduct regular remote sea drills to further its capabilities in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and peaceful development.

Some media pointed out that, although the Chinese Air Force has conducted seven remote sea drills, this is the first time warplanes flew over the Bashi Channel and Miyako Strait at the same time.

"It is indeed a big challenge for Chinese Air Force warplanes to fly over different straits at the same time," said Yin. The warplanes had to fly almost 1,000 kilometers to reach the Bashi Channel, even from the nearest airport. What's more, the climate and sea conditions were complicated.

According to Yin, China’s armed forces will gradually develop an integrated joint operational system in which all elements, including command, control, information, communication and security, are seamlessly linked. Under this system, all operational platforms will perform independently but in coordination with one another. This is in line with requirements for responding to potential future wars.