Beijing Celebrates The 60th Anniversary Of New China (Photo : Getty Images)
As part of the one-week military drill that China is holding in South China Sea, the Chinese Navy conducted live-fire drills in the area using submarines, war vessels and fighter aircraft on Friday.
Held three days before June 12 when the U.N. Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) rules on the case brought by the Philippines against China, China insisted it is not flexing its military might but is holding routine exercises, reported The New York Times. The China Central Television, which aired video showing ships launching missiles and torpedoes, submarines surfacing in the water and fighter jets in formation releasing flares, said the drills end on Monday.
Zhao Yanquan, commander of a guided missile destroyer, said, “We gather the information, analyze it and make decisions upon it. For us, it is a real war situation and therefore a test to that effect.” The exercises test how battle-ready is the Chinese navy, Zhao added.
Meanwhile, new Philippine Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay clarified a statement he said on Friday that the new administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is hoping to start direct talks with Chua after the Tuesday verdict. The talks would deal with joint exploitation of natural gas reserves and fishing ground that are within the Philippine exclusive economic zone but are being claimed by Beijing.
His response appears giving in to China’s suggestion for Manila to ignore the PCA decision and hold talks with Beijing. But Yasay said on Saturday that the Philippines would “have to wait on the ruling and study and dissect its implications,” quoted Japantimes.
He continued that since the decision would not address sovereignty and delimitation, in the future, it would still be possible for claimant nations to enter into arrangements for joint exploration and utilization of the disputed territories.
