A Chinese flotilla, comprising almost half of its “large” destroyers, recently carried out live-fire training exercises in the contentious South China Sea.
The Southern Theater Command of China deployed a Type 052C Guided-Missile Destroyer, Haikou, along with three of the nation’s eight Type 055 Renhai-class destroyers – Xianyang, Zunyi, and Yan’an. The sailors trained at sea for six consecutive days, conducting drills round the clock, including air-to-sea strikes, antisubmarine missions, and air defenses amidst escalating tensions in the South China Sea, a vital region for global trade due to its rich oil and gas reserves.
The Type 055 destroyers, described by Beijing as “large destroyers,” are more advanced with better sensors and fewer weapons compared to the older Type 052. Slightly bigger than the U.S. Navy‘s Ticonderoga-class cruisers, they serve as the main escorts to China’s aircraft carrier.
According to a Chinese expert quoted in state media, this exercise involving three Type 055 destroyers was seen as a routine activity not aimed at any particular party. It was more of a deterrence move, especially during escalating tensions with the Philippines over territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
The Philippines, which is allied with the U.S., has been involved in standoffs with China’s Coast Guard in the internationally recognized exclusive economic zone. These incidents have raised concerns, with the Philippine Defense Chief, Gilbert Teodoro, referring to China’s assertiveness as an “existential issue” for the U.S.
In a show of support, President Joe Biden reiterated the ironclad nature of the Washington Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with Manila. This underscores the importance of maintaining stability in the region amidst growing geopolitical tensions.