An admiral of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) claims the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) can now fight in two separate warzones at the same time based on its first simultaneous mission over two strategic locations beyond what China describes as the "First Island Chain."
The incredulous claim was made by PLAN Rear Admiral Yin Zhou, a member of the PLAN's advisory board on cybersecurity and a former national political adviser. He was also a committee member of the 11th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.
He regarded as "unprecedented" the PLAAF flying a small number of its aircraft over the Bashi Strait and the Miyako Strait at the same time for a routine drill in the western Pacific on Nov. 25.
Adm. Yin said the synchronized flights over two straits means that the PLAAF is capable of fighting in two seas at the same time. This is an incredible statement considering the PLAAF has fewer than 20 long-range aerial refueling tankers such as the Xian H-6U and Ilyushin Il-78 whose presence permits short range jet fighters like the PLAAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKK from operating far from shore.
Bashi Strait, which is 1,000 km away from the nearest PLAAF air base, separates Taiwan from the Philippines while the Miyako Strait lies between Miyako Island and Okinawa in the East China Sea.
"Flying over two straits at the same time is indeed a serious challenge for the PLA Air Force," said Adm. Yin.
"Even if warfare breaks out in the East China Sea and the South China Sea at the same time, the PLA Air Force is still capable of responding."
Previous to the Nov. 25 missions, the PLAAF conducted seven drills in the western Pacific.
The PLAAF said it accomplished its anticipated goals in the drill, and said it will continue to conduct drills in remote waters.
PLAAF will also maintain a "strategic capability in accordance with China's national interest."