China ignites Scarborough Shoal flashpoint with bombers, ships

China has tightened its grip on Scarborough Shoal by deploying bombers and warships, a militarization of the contested feature that will test the resolve of the Philippines and its allies in the South China Sea.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command confirmed the presence of an H-6 bomber armed with YJ-12 supersonic anti-ship missiles, capable of striking targets up to 500 kilometers away, alongside Type 054A frigates Chenzhou (552), Liuzhou (573) and Bayanner (551) and J-16 fighter jets.The drills coincided with China’s National Day and were framed as a response to “unlawful infringements and provocations,” aimed at reinforcing China’s sovereignty claims under its Ten-Dash Line.

The deployment follows recent maritime confrontations, including aggressive maneuvers against Philippine patrol vessels and a collision between a PLA Navy (PLAN) destroyer and a China Coast Guard (CCG) cutter in August.

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