China, Russia to Hold Naval War Games Inside Illegal ‘Nine-dash line;’ US with Own Drill Off Guam

The navies of China, Russia and the United States will all hold large naval war games on the same day but at different locations in another strategic game triggered by the ongoing crisis at the South China Sea.

This is the fourth China-Russia joint naval exercise and the largest so far.

China today at last revealed the long-anticipated naval drill with Russia will take place from Sept. 12 to 19 in the waters off Guangdong Province bordering the South China Sea and within China's notorious and, since July 12, illegal "nine-dash line."

The joint China-Russia drill is codenamed "Joint Sea-2016." It will involve warships from the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), probably its South Sea Fleet responsible for the South China Sea, and Russia's Pacific Fleet headquartered at Vladivostok.

China said both countries will deploy destroyers, submarines, fixed wing fighter jets, shipborne helicopters, amphibious assault craft and marines.

Ominously, both countries will conduct "island seizing" operations, in addition practicing defense, rescue and anti-submarine operations. Chinese and Russian marines will participate in live-fire exercises, defense and landing maneuvers on an unspecified island.

China previously said the operation "does not target any third party."

Joint Sea-2016 will be held amid increased pressure by the United States and other democracies demanding China adhere to the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague last July 12 invalidating Beijing's longstanding claim to the South China Sea through which some $5 trillion of shipborne trade passes each year.

The United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) will hold a major naval exercise in the western Pacific Ocean off Guam and the Mariana Islands from Sept. 12 to 23. USPACOM said the U.S. Navy exercise called Valiant Shield 2016 will involve over a dozen surface warships, 180 aircraft and 18,000 military personnel.

This fleet will be led by the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan, based in Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. Joining her in the exercise at the Marianas Island Range Complex will be the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard; two amphibious vessels and nine other surface warships.

Some 180 aircraft from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Marine Corps will participate in the exercise. The U.S. Navy said Valiant Shield has been held every two years since 2006.