Advanced warplanes of the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) joined the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills in the Taiwan Strait and the north, south and east of the island of Taiwan on Monday.
The warplanes included fighter jets and batches of H-6K bombers with live ammunition.
"The core task for me and my comrade-in-arms in the drills is to break through the simulated enemy's air defense alert system, seize battlefield control, and directly test the real combat capabilities including airspace alert, air combat and in-flight refueling. We want to use a language comprehensible for the enemy and warn separatist force in Taiwan that those engaging in separatist activities will cause war, get burned for playing with fire, and bring destruction to themselves," said Wei Cao, a pilot with the PLA Eastern Theater Command.
Troops of the PLA rocket force launched multiple rounds of simulated strikes with multi-type missiles of large amounts.
The Chinese PLA Eastern Theater Command on Monday organized its troops of army, navy, air force and rocket force to conduct the "Joint Sword-2024B" drills around the island of Taiwan, said Li Xi, spokesperson for the theater command, noting the drills involve vessels and planes closing in on the island from multiple directions and assaults by joint forces.
The drills focus on joint sea-air combat readiness patrol, the blockade and control of key ports and areas, strikes on sea and land targets, and the seizure of comprehensive battlefield control, so as to test the joint real-combat capabilities of the forces of the command, Li said.
The drills are a powerful deterrent to the secession activities in Taiwan, and are legitimate and necessary actions to safeguard national sovereignty and national unity, Li said.
Advanced warplanes join drills around Taiwan island
Advanced warplanes join drills around Taiwan island
The 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, which opened Tuesday in Zhuhai City of south China's Guangdong Province, showcases several advanced liquid-propellant rocket engines that promise to shape the future of space exploration.
Among the highlights is an 80-ton reusable liquid oxygen-methane engine, which stands out for its economic viability and potential for extensive application in reusable rocket designs. The efficiency of methane positions this engine as a pivotal component for future space missions.
"This engine's most significant feature is its complete reusability, with a capability of at least 50 uses. It has successfully gone through various development tests and is now ready for flight," said Song Dekun from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
The 80-ton liquid oxygen-methane engine is tailored for the burgeoning commercial space market, offering substantial thrust while being engineered for reusability. Next to it, another engine designed for commercial space endeavors is on display - a high-altitude engine utilizing liquid oxygen and kerosene as fuel.
"It has a thrust of 72 tons and will be used in the rocket's second stage. The first stage carries the rocket to altitudes of 50 to 60 kilometers, and the second stage operates from there up to 200 kilometers and even into low Earth orbit, where it must ignite in near-vacuum conditions, requiring precise ignition capabilities," said Liu Shang from China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.
Liu added that this engine is delivery-ready and is projected to undertake its inaugural flight in 2025, further solidifying China's position in the global aerospace landscape.
Popularly known as the Zhuhai Airshow, the premier aviation event has attracted 1,022 companies from 47 countries and regions this year, with Russia, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia and Italy participating in the air show in groups. The airshow is scheduled to last through Sunday.
Cutting-edge liquid-propellant rocket engines at Zhuhai Airshow to benefit future space travel
