China's Air Force flags regular patrols in South China Sea

The Chinese Air Force has confirmed it undertook a recent H-6K bombers patrol around Huangyan Island above the South China Sea, and said such regularized patrols would continue.

Air Force spokesman Shen Jinke said on Monday that the People's Liberation Army Air Force had conducted a combat readiness patrol above the South China Sea, and the Chinese bombers had patrolled airspace near Chinese islands and reefs, including Hunagyan Island.

The recent patrol involved bombers, fighter jets and reconnaissance planes, according to Shen.

"Based on the need of the Air Force for fulfilling its missions and tasks, the combat readiness patrol to the South China Sea by the Air Force servicemen will continue on regularized basis," Shen said.

The patrol aimed at boosting maritime training, promoting the capability of tackling various security threats and safeguarding state sovereignty and security, Shen said.