Chinese PLA air force conducts island patrol training

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force formation conducts island patrols during training on April 26, 2018. The formation was made up of fighters, early warning and surveillance aircraft, and H-6K bombers, which took off from various military airfields. The formation flew over the Miyako Strait and Bashi Channel, completing an island patrol, the subject of the training. (Xinhua/Wu Yuepeng)

FUZHOU, April 26 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)air force formation conducted island patrols during training on Thursday morning.

The formation was made up of fighters, early warning and surveillance aircraft, and H-6K bombers, which took off from various military airfields.

The formation flew over the Miyako Strait and Bashi Channel, completing an island patrol, the subject of the training.

The air force has conducted a number of island patrols since April 18, in order to exercise and enhance its capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Via real combat training at sea, the air force's combat preparedness has undergone historic changes, air force spokesperson Shen Jinke said at a military base in Fujian Province.

"The PLA air force has the resolve, faith, and capability to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.

A Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) air force formation conducts island patrols during training on April 26, 2018. The formation was made up of fighters, early warning and surveillance aircraft, and H-6K bombers, which took off from various military airfields. The formation flew over the Miyako Strait and Bashi Channel, completing an island patrol, the subject of the training. (Xinhua/Zhai Peisong)