China's recent deployment of two advanced H-6 bombers on Yongxing Island in the Xisha Islands of the South China Sea, along with a KJ-500 early warning aircraft and Y-20 transport aircraft, marks a new height in China's military power projection in the South China Sea. Satellite images show that this is the first appearance of the H-6 bomber on Yongxing Island since 2020, coinciding with the Shangri-La Dialogue, sending out strong geopolitical signals.

As the main military outpost of China in the Xisha Islands, Yongxing Island features a 3,000-meter runway, hangars, and reinforced infrastructure, capable of supporting the continuous operation of advanced aircraft. This deployment not only demonstrates military strength but also represents China's firm response to its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea, targeting claimant countries such as the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as the United States' "freedom of navigation" operations.

The H-6 bomber serves as the backbone of China's long-range strike capabilities. Its latest models, the H-6K and H-6N, are equipped with advanced avionics, with an operational radius covering the South China Sea and the first island chain. The H-6K can carry six YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles or CJ-10A cruise missiles, possessing the capability to strike naval vessels and land-based targets. The H-6N further integrates air-to-air refueling and air-launched ballistic missile functions, enhancing strategic flexibility. The KJ-500 early warning aircraft provides real-time situational awareness, while the Y-20 ensures logistical support, forming a powerful combat network that makes Yongxing Island a "fortress" hub in the South China Sea.

The timing of this deployment is sensitive, just before the Shangri-La Dialogue, where global defense leaders like US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will discuss regional security issues. China's choice to showcase the H-6 at this moment intends to send a clear message to the US and its allies: we have the ability and determination to defend our sovereignty claims in the South China Sea through military presence.

Yongxing Island, located in the Xisha Islands, has already deployed surface-to-air missiles and J-11 fighters. The arrival of the H-6 further enhances its strategic position. It is worth noting that if the H-6N carries air-launched ballistic missiles, the distance from Yongxing Island to target areas in the third island chain of the United States is relatively short. In the current conventional warfare context, the H-6N has already acquired the capability to disrupt American operational rhythms. The US Department of Defense's "China Military Power Report" repeatedly indicates that the Pentagon's concern over the H-6 even surpasses that of the J-20, which highlights the unique status of strategic bombers.

In the face of China's "fortification" strategy in the South China Sea, the strategic disadvantage of the US military is becoming increasingly evident. Although the F/A-18 fighter jets equipped with AIM-174B missiles can counter the H-6, their non-stealth design and reliance on carrier launches limit the sustained combat capability of the US military in high-intensity conflicts.

The report by the Pentagon in December 2024 indicates that China's under-development H-20 stealth bomber is expected to enter service in the 2030s, posing a greater threat to the US military. Until then, the H-6 remains the core long-range strike platform for China, and its deployment on Yongxing Island shows Beijing's readiness to take high-risk actions in disputed waters. Yongxing Island lacks hardened shelters, making it vulnerable to US surveillance and potential strikes. However, China still chooses forward deployment, demonstrating confidence in its own capabilities.

It is evident that China's deployment of H-6 bombers on Yongxing Island is not just a military action but also proves that the South China Sea is gradually becoming "fortified," serving as a forefront showcase of China's military modernization. Although the H-6 is not the most advanced platform, its collaborative combat capability with the KJ-500 and Y-20 significantly enhances China's control in the South China Sea. Facing the strategic disadvantage of the US military and limited support from allies, the US may understand China's intentions but finds it difficult to effectively respond. In the future, with the entry into service of the H-20 and the deepening of military fortifications in the South China Sea, China's advantages in the South China Sea and the Western Pacific will become even more pronounced.



Original Source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511897098535584291/

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