China plans to conduct intensive military drills amid US tensions

In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, a J-15 Chinese fighter jet takes off from the Shandong aircraft carrier during the combat readiness patrol and military exercises around the Taiwan Island by the Eastern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army on, April 9, 2023.

BEIJING (Bloomberg): China’s military plans to conduct at least five drills in various areas that include waters off its coast and in the South China Sea, amid simmering tensions with Taiwan and the US.

One of the announced military exercises will be held for three days in waters off the port city of Qingdao, home to a major naval base for the People’s Liberation Army, according to a statement by China’s Maritime Safety Administration on Thursday (April 20). Unspecified "major military activities” were conducted in the same area from 9am till noon on Tuesday.