China Fired ‘Aircraft-Carrier Killer’ Missile To Warn The US

China Fired
‘Aircraft-Carrier Killer’ Missile To Warn The US 

China was reported to have launched two missiles into
the South China Sea on Wednesday morning. According to sources, the move was a
clear warning to the US after a U-2 spy plane was spotted entering a no-fly
zone in the Bohai Sea during China’s live-fire naval drill. One of the
missiles, a DF-26B was launched from the northwestern province of Qinghai,
while the other a DF-21D from the east province of Zhejiang. Both were targeted
into an area between the Hainan province and Paracel Islands. According to Hainan
maritime safety authorities, the missiles landed in off-limits zone when
military exercises were carried out between Monday and Saturday. 

The DF-26B is a type of weapon prohibited by the
Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed by the US and Soviet Union
towards the end of the Cold War. The US cited China’s deployment of these
weapons as justifications for their withdrawal from the treaty last year. The
DF-26B can be used in nuclear or conventional strikes against ground and naval
targets. Whereas, the DF-21D is the most advanced missile and also the world’s
first anti-ship ballistic missile, according to state media.

Sources said that China’s intention in launching the
missiles was to strengthen its ability to deny access to the South China Sea by
other forces. The sources also said that China responded to the potential risks
associated with the increasing incoming of US warplanes and military vessels in
the South China Sea. However, China does not want neighboring countries to
misinterpret Beijing’s intention following the missile launch.

According to Hong Kong-based military commentator Song
Zhongping, the missile launches were genuinely meant to send a signal to the
United States. Song also said that the US is constantly testing China’s bottom
line in Taiwan and South China Sea issues. This triggered China to showcase its
military strength to remind the US that their aircraft carriers can’t showoff
near China’s coast. However, China’s defense ministry did not provide any
immediate response when asked to comment on the launches.

In a rare move, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is
conducting drills almost simultaneously in four sea regions. In July, the PLA
conducted military exercises in the South China, East China, and Yellow seas
after two US aircraft carriers exercising tactical air defence over the South
China Sea. During earlier this month, the PLA also held exercises near Taiwan,
claiming to safeguard national sovereignty. Aside from aircraft carriers, the
US has also sent numerous military jets and vessels to keep a close watch on
Chinese activity.

China’s military drills have triggered unease among
its neighbors. Vietnam had requested China to cancel its Paracel Islands
military drills, claiming that their sovereignty was being violated. The drills
were also detrimental to China-Asean talks on a South China Sea code of
conduct.