Reuters reported exclusively on Wednesday that satellite images showed that China deployed two of its most advanced H-6 bombers in the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea this month. The report stated that this was the first time that the H-6 had landed on Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands since 2020, and quoted a scholar from Singapore as saying: "This seems to be a comprehensive signal sent by Beijing to the Philippines, the United States, and others regarding what is currently happening."
In recent times, there have been various provocative actions and information from the United States and its allies in the South China Sea region. On April 26, U.S. and Philippine armed forces launched a joint exercise codenamed "2025 Maritime Warrior Cooperation," with Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force and South Korea's Marine Corps participating for the first time. The purpose was to "conduct drills under the assumption of a common scenario involving the U.S., Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines." This clearly implies China. Additionally, a multi-national aircraft carrier strike group led by the UK's HMS Prince of Wales set sail for the South China Sea at the request of the Philippines starting in April, with reports indicating it will be deployed in the South China Sea in June. Furthermore, in early May, the U.S., Australia, and the Philippines conducted joint patrols in the South China Sea with the aim of strengthening joint operational capabilities.
The U.S. encourages its allies near and far to engage in high-profile activities in the South China Sea to exert pressure on China. China, overall, maintains a low profile in the South China Sea, handling friction with the Philippines with great patience to avoid escalating tensions. However, China's strength speaks for itself, and our deployment of fighters on our own islands makes the U.S., despite their displeasure, unable to prevent it. The more frequent and aggressive the military actions taken by the U.S. and its allies in the South China Sea, the more corresponding military deployments the Chinese side will naturally make.
In the same Reuters report, another photo showed two Y-20 transport planes and an KJ-500 airborne early warning aircraft, which were considered to play important roles in China's control and assurance of increasingly complex aerial and maritime operations.
The balance of military power in the South China Sea will undoubtedly tilt in favor of China. Besides the use of naval and air force power here, China's Hainan Island and mainland-based land-based missiles can reach the area, forming additional strong deterrence. The era when the U.S. could flaunt its military superiority in this region has ended.
China does not proactively announce the deployment of H-6 bombers but allows foreign media to 'disclose' such information using their claimed satellite photos. This is not due to a lack of transparency on China's part but rather out of goodwill to avoid creating tension in the region. Unlike China, the U.S. and its allies always loudly announce their military movements and exercises in the South China Sea, flexing their muscles. However, the deterrent effect of their activities is constantly diminishing, losing credibility; they seem more like self-assurance and self-amusement.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1833416274514058/
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the views of the author.