China lands nuclear strike-capable bombers on disputed South China Sea island | News | DW | 19.05.2018

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China lands nuclear strike-capable bombers on disputed South China Sea island

For the first time, China's air force has landed several bombers on a South China Sea island. The move could fuel tension in the region amid concern that Beijing is expanding its military might to the disputed waters.

A Chinese H-6K bomber patrols the islands and reefs in the South China Sea

On Friday, the China Daily state newspaper reported that several bombers, including the long-range, nuclear strike-capable H-6K, conducted takeoff and landing drills at an unidentified island airfield in the South China Sea.

Read more: South China Sea — what you need to know

In a statement, the Defense Ministry announced that the exercise was conducted on a reef, but did not specify where, saying only that it took place at a "southern sea area."

According to the ministry, several H-6Ks carried out simulated strikes against sea targets during the drill.

Wang Mingliang, a military expert, was quoted in the statement as saying that the exercise in the South China Sea will help the Chinese air force "strengthen its combat capability to deal with maritime security threats."

The Washington-based Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative identified the exercise location as Woody Island, China's largest base in the Paracel Islands.

"I believe this is the first time a bomber has landed in the South China Sea," Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, tweeted.

Read more:

How powerful is China's military?

SIPRI: Global military spending rose to $1.7 trillion in 2017

China boosts defense spending for 2018

  • China's Liaoning aircraft carrier (imago/Xinhua)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    Pride of the Chinese armada

    The first Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, was originally a Soviet model built in 1986. In 1998, the stripped hulk was sold to China by Ukraine and rebuilt by the Dailian Shipbuilding Industry Company in northeastern China. It was completed in 2012 and has been ready for service since 2016.

  • Vietnamese submarine at the port of Cam Ranh Bay 03.01.2014 (Vietnam News Agency/AFP/Getty Images)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    'Black holes' for Vietnam

    In recent years, Vietnam has acquired six Russian Kilo-class submarines. Two were delivered in 2017. The subs are nicknamed "black holes" by the US Navy, because they run very quietly and are difficult to locate. They are specialized for missions in shallow waters and for defense against enemy ships and submarines.

  • BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (picture-alliance/AP Photo/A. Favila)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    Flagship of the Philippines

    The BRP Gregorio del Pilar is the flagship of the Philippine Navy. The vessel is one of three former US Coast Guard cutters that were acquired by the Philippines. The ship was first put in service in 1967 and it was modernized in 2011. In 2012, it was involved in the dispute with the People's Republic of China over Scarborough Shoal.

  • Indonesien KRI Sultan Hasanuddin 366 plane (picture alliance/dpa/A. Ibrahim)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    Warships from European shipyards

    Indonesia is in the process of buying new ships and modernizing its navy. Pictured here is the KRI Sultan Hasanuddin, a Sigma-class corvette. The ship was built in 2007 in the Netherlands. Germany also supplies warships to countries in the region. The Kasturi-class corvettes in Malaysia and Brunei's Darussalam-class high-seas patrol boats come from German shipyards.

  • RSS Formidable (Imago/China Foto Press)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    Singapore's stealth ships

    Singapore is unmatched for hi-tech in the region. Since 2007, the city-state has put six Formidable-class stealth ships in service. All of them were built in France.

  • US Navy aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (AP)

    South China Sea countries are building larger navies

    The long arm of the US Navy

    The only truly global naval power remains the US Navy. The seventh fleet is stationed in the Pacific. It is the largest forward-deployed fleet of the US Navy with 50-60 ships, 350 aircraft and 60,000 personnel. This includes the only US aircraft carrier stationed outside of the US, the USS Ronald Regan, stationed at the US naval base in Yokosuka, Japan.

    Author: Rodion Ebbighausen (wr)


China's maritime 'aggression'

The tensions in the South China Sea center on Beijing's claiming virtually all of the sea as its territorial waters, a claim that has been vigorously disputed by Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei.

The Philippines had been the most vigorous critic of Chinese territorial claims, but President Rodrigo Duterte dialed back his country's objections, leaving Vietnam as the leading critic.

The US has accused China of militarizing the region and redefining its national boundaries to strengthen its claims across the South China Sea. Washington believes China will use the islands and its military presence on them to deny access to strategic sea routes.

Read more:

US report warns of China military development overseas

Chinese media: Tough US line on South China Sea islands would risk war

In the Paracel Islands, a new helipad, wind turbines and large radar towers have been built. The radar towers on Triton Island could be used in China's disputes with Vietnam and with the US over freedom of navigation operations, which the US Navy has used to back its perceived right to free passage in international waters.

Earlier this month, China's first domestically built aircraft carrier left dock in the northeastern port of Dalian to begin sea trials of its engine, propulsion and navigation systems. The trials represent a landmark in Beijing's extensive project to modernize its navy as it continues to build up its presence in the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan, which it sees as its own territory.

Read more: Southeast Asian nations 'want to control China's behavior'

shs/jlw (AFP, AP)

  • China AG600 Amphibienflugzeug (Getty Images/VCG)

    China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

    Successful maiden flight

    The AG600 aircraft is around the size of Boeing 737. It is 37 meters long and has a 38.8-meter wingspan. On December 24, 2017, the plane took its maiden flight for about an hour from Zhuhai airport in the southern Guangdong province close to the South China Sea. At least 17 orders for the AG600 have been placed so far.

  • China AG600 Amphibienfahrzeug (Reuters)

    China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

    Largest amphibious aircraft?

    While the aircraft has been dubbed the largest amphibious plane in the world, it is considerably smaller in size than billionaire Howard Hughes' flying boat, Spruce Goose, which was 67 meters long and had a 97-meter wingspan. But Spruce Goose only managed one maiden flight in 1947.

  • China AG600 Amphibienflugzeug (Reuters)

    China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

    Military and civilian use

    The aircraft spent eight years in production and was built by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China. State media claims the AG600 will be used primarily to put out forest fire and perform maritime rescues. The aircraft, however, has military applications and bolsters China's military presence in the South China Sea.

  • Fiery Cross Reef Spratly Islands (picture alliance/AP Photo)

    China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

    An eye on South China Sea

    The AG600 puts China's controversial island-building projects in the disputed South China Sea within range. A US-based think-tank reported last week that Beijing was building the infrastructure for fully-functioning air and naval bases on some of the South China Sea disputed islands. China's engineering feats in the region have raised concerns from its neighbors.

  • China AG600 Amphibienflugzeug (Getty Images/VCG)

    China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

    Military modernization

    The success of AG600 strengthens China's modernizing military. Earlier this year, China launched its first domestically-built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China spent $215 billion (181 billion euros) on military in 2016, well ahead of India at $56 billion and Japan at $46 billion.

    Author: Shamil Shams (with AFP, dpa)


DW recommends

How powerful is China's military?

With the second-largest defense spending in the world, measuring over $150 billion in 2017, China is rapidly modernizing the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and could soon pose serious challenges to US military dominance. (09.05.2018)  

South China Sea - what you need to know

The South China Sea has long been a source of territorial disputes between several Asian countries. DW takes a look at who owns what, and why the contested waterway is so strategically important. (11.08.2017)  

SIPRI: Global military spending rose to $1.7 trillion in 2017

Global military spending in 2017 was at its highest level since the Cold War, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. DW spoke with Pieter Wezeman about the regional trends. (02.05.2018)  

US report warns of China military development overseas

A Pentagon report says Beijing may be looking to build a base in Pakistan. The document also suggests that China may be spending a great deal more on defense than it has admitted. (07.06.2017)  

China boosts defense spending for 2018

China has announced a trillion yuan military budget for the coming year at the annual National People's Congress. The move is "to make up for low military spending in the past," according to an official. (05.03.2018)  

Chinese media: Tough US line on South China Sea islands would risk war

Chinese media reacted defiantly after prospective US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Beijing would be barred access to parts of the South China Sea. Editorials warned that such actions could lead to war. (13.01.2017)  

Southeast Asian nations 'want to control China's behavior'

Negotiations over a code of conduct between China and other nations on the South China Sea planned for March 2018 have not taken place. DW asked Asia expert Bill Hayton if there is a risk to regional stability. (30.03.2018)  

Philippines' Duterte scales back building work in South China Sea spat

The Philippine president wanted to build on disputed land at the heart of a lucrative shipping route. Pressure from China made him quickly change tack. (08.11.2017)  

South China Sea countries are building larger navies

Countries surrounding the South China Sea have been pumping more resources into their navies. China spends more than other regional nations combined, but smaller navies are still acquiring effective fleets. (27.07.2017)  

China's AG600: World's largest amphibious aircraft

China's AG600 aircraft, "Kunlong," is 37 meters (121 feet) long and has a 38.8-meter wingspan. The plane is part of China's plans to bolster its military presence in the contested South China Sea. (24.12.2017)  

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