THE PLA CONSOLIDATE THEIR CONTROL OF THE SOUTH CHINA SEA
By Andrei Pinkov

JH7 by Andrei Pinkov

J8 2M by Andrei Pinkov

As the pictures recently shown by the China Central Television Station revealed, the J8D in-flight refueling fighter planes have already equipped the naval air force. Normally, the fighter planes whose codes begin with "8" belong to the naval air force. In the meantime, it is also believed that the J8D planes also serve the South Sea Fleet. J8D is mainly used to conduct escort operations for the JH7 fighter-bombers and the H6 bombers as they launch an attack. In addition, if necessary, it can also carry the conventional bombs to perform the mission of attacking an island in South China Sea. The pictures shown on the international channel of the China Central Television Station revealed that the J8D planes were also equipped with the radio warning receivers (RWR) originating from the KJ8602, its two antennas clearly visible on top of the vertical fin. It is reported that the date of production for the J8B/D equipped with the KJ 8602 RWR system may be later than 1996 as the earlier J8B planes were not equipped with the KJ8602 radio warning receivers.

After obtaining around 24 JH7 planes and at least 24 J8D planes to be used together with its 50 SU27 and H6 fighter planes, the Chinese navy has gained the control of the air above the South China Sea, unnoticed.

In terms of the control of the South China Sea, it is believed that the South Sea Fleet will use the largest “Lu Hai” -class destroyer (with a displacement of 6000 tons) that started to serve the navy in December 1998. Recently, an article of the PLA Daily News Paper has hinted that a new Chinese-made submarine was delivered to the navy in May 1997 and was deployed, after a half-year training, at the Hainan Island that is under the jurisdiction of the South Sea Fleet. It may be the "Ming"-class submarine.

During the Cold War period, China persistently focused on the construction of its North Sea Fleet in its northern territory. This fleet was usually the first to be equipped with the latest equipment. This practice lasted all the way until the early 1990s. The first (No. 112) of the "Luhu"-class destroyers (with a displacement of 4200 tons) was also given to this fleet.

In the same period, a dispute arose inside the navy on the development strategy and the concept of "balanced development" was proposed. The consolidation of the construction of the South Sea Fleet is the specific manifestation of the implementation of this strategic consideration.

In addition, there have been, in recent years, more frequent visits to the south by the East Sea Fleet that normally coordinates and supports the north and the south if need be and will play a major role in the struggle for the control of the Taiwan Strait. Even the second (No.113) of the "Luhu"-class destroyers also visited the Southeast Asia.

As China has been continuously increasing its presence in the controversial South China Sea, the movement of the South China Sea Fleet will become more conspicuous in the future (Andrei Pinkov).