China's first Type 054B frigate the Luohe, commissioned into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy one month earlier, has recently conducted a live-fire combat training in the Yellow Sea.
The training started with frigate Luohe conducting navigation exercise under complex sea conditions. As the crew members worked closely to flexibly adjust the course and speed, the ship maintained the intended heading.
In response to a slew of simulated hostile situations, the crew members quickly rushed to their respective battle stations and the orders were given according to the battlefield situation.
Following the immediate activation of the air defense system, the secondary turrets accurately intercepted the incoming targets and then the main turrets began their naval firepower training.
The coordination formed a crossfire covering both short and long ranges, with the main turrets engaging in attacks while the Close-in Weapon System defending the ship against small targets from sea surface.
"The new equipment brought new challenges and new missions to us. We are responsible for and are confident in speeding up the formation of combat capabilities of the first Type 054B frigate through live-fire combat training," said Song Wei, a crew member.
Frigate Luohe was commissioned in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Jan 22 at a military port in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province.
The Luohe, designated hull number "545," has a displacement of approximately 5,000 tons. This new-generation frigate, independently developed and built by China, is noted for breakthroughs in stealth technology, combat command systems and firepower integration, with significantly enhanced overall performance.
China's newly commissioned frigate conducts real-combat training at Yellow Sea
Analysts have warned that the separatist statements made recently by leader of Taiwan region Lai Ching-te constitute a challenge to the bottom line and the red line of the mainland.
On Thursday, the eve of the 20th anniversary of the implementation of China's Anti-Secession Law, Lai held a meeting in which he portrayed the mainland as a "hostile external force" and outlined 17 strategies to counter the so-called threats facing the island.
"There is no doubt that the Lai Ching-te authorities' actions are an attempt to challenge the bottom line and the red line of the mainland, especially Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law. His actions are indeed extremely dangerous," said Zhang Hua, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
"We must carefully analyze whether his actions have touched Article 8 of the Anti-Secession Law, that is, 'the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The more rambunctious Lai Ching-te becomes, the faster we will see a solution of the Taiwan question and achieve unification," said Zhu Songling, a professor at the Institute of Taiwan Studies in Beijing Union University.
Article 8 of the law states that the state shall employ non-peaceful means and other necessary measures to protect China's sovereignty and territorial integrity in the event that the "Taiwan independence" secessionist forces should act under any name or by any means to cause the fact of Taiwan's secession from China, or that major incidents entailing Taiwan's secession from China should occur, or that possibilities for a peaceful reunification should be completely exhausted.
Analysts said Lai's separatist actions would push Taiwan closer to the brink of conflict.
His proposal to "reinstate military tribunals" is viewed as a strategic move to suppress political opponents on the island which further reveals his anxiety and insecurity, analysts said.
"Lai Ching-te's intensified incitement against the mainland cannot be ruled out as a strategic foreshadowing laid by him to suppress political dissidents on the island," said Chen Chao, deputy director of the Center for Taiwan Studies, Shanghai Jiao Tong University.
"Lai Ching-te is very anxious because his public support in the Taiwan region has continued to plunge. Polls conducted last month showed that public support for Lai was approaching a 'death cross' where the opposition outnumbers the support. So he resorted to provoking confrontation between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait," Zhang Hua said.
Analysts see Lai Ching-te's separatist statements as challenge to mainland's red line
