Global Times recently reported that the Chinese Navy’s South China Sea Fleet called the reserves from several provinces to participate in a joint naval military exercise. The purpose of the exercise was to test the reserves’ rapid response capabilities. The exercise focused on shooting down incoming enemy aircraft and on precise attacks against deep-sea submarines. Additionally, the exercise included the scenario of a lawful inspection on a commercial vessel which forcibly attempted passage. Tank landing ships were also involved in the exercise. A naval officer responded to media inquiries on the timing of the exercise. He stated that this exercise had nothing to do with the current South China Sea situation or with international relations – it was just a routine exercise. However, he added that, as China improves its naval defense power, the value of demonstrating deterrent capabilities is obvious.
Source: Global Times, June 20, 2015
http://mil.huanqiu.com/china/2015-06/6733551.html