China’s navy prepares for war with Japan
PLA Navy Simulates East China Sea Clash - Globaltimes.cn
China’s naval force Friday held a joint exercise with the country’s marine surveillance and fishery management authorities in the East China Sea, where tensions between China and Japan have mounted over Tokyo’s “nationalization” of the Diaoyu Islands.
A total of 11 vessels, eight aircraft and more than 1,000 people from the East Sea Fleet of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) navy and regional bureaus of fishery management and oceanic administrations took part in the exercise.
The one-day exercise was aimed at improving coordination between the navy and administrative patrol vessels, as well as sharpening their response to emergencies during missions to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime interests, the Xinhua News Agency reported.
Xinhua said that when carrying out missions in disputed waters, patrol vessels of the fishery administration and marine surveillance agency have been stalked, harassed and even intentionally interfered with by foreign vessels, posing challenges to the completion of their duties.
The exercise simulated a scenario in which Chinese marine surveillance and fishery management patrol vessels were obstructed by and clashed with foreign patrol ships during law enforcement missions in Chinese waters. The “clash” led to damage to Chinese vessels, and some of the crew members aboard the ships were injured and fell into the sea. The East Sea Fleet then sent frigates, hospital ships, tugboats, fighters as well as helicopters to back up and shield the vessels and provide emergency aid.