China's PLA flexes its muscles on the Myanmar border
Show of strength involving army and air force sends message to neighbour after its battle with rebel troops spilled over into Yunnan province
The PLA yesterday mobilised troops for a live-fire drill in Yunnan province near the Myanmar border, in a show of determination to uphold the security of the frontier amid escalating tensions in the region.
Aviation, artillery, air defence, infantry, missile and radar units took part, according to the People's Liberation Army's Chengdu Military Area Command.
Several thousand soldiers, both regular and reserves, from the army, air force and missile units were involved, with warplanes and several hundred heavy artillery vehicles being deployed in mountainous areas, the Chinese military said.
Senior Colonel Tang Jibing said the exercise would "test military manoeuvres, reconnaissance, strike power, mobilisation and militia reserve support", state-run Xinhua reported.
"Drills are an effective way to enhance joint operations capabilities and are necessary in safeguarding the frontier and protecting people's lives and property," Tang said.
The exercise would be conducted in accordance with "training plans" and attack targets would be selected "randomly", said Tang. He did not say when the drill would end.
