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| Chinese Navy Warships (Image: File Photo) |
Beijing's idea to send a fleet of PLA warships to the Bering Strait off the coast of Alaska is a smart strategic move, says Duowei News, a US-based Chinese political news outlet.
According to Pentagon sources, the five PLA vessels — comprising three surface combatants, an amphibious warship and a fleet oiler — made an "innocent passage" passing within 12 nautical miles of the Aleutian Islands that border the southern edge of the Bering Sea on Sept. 2.
China claimed that PLA naval group had been sent to conduct joint drills with the Russians earlier this month off Russia's Pacific coast and the Sea of Japan, adding that it was part of "routine activities" not aimed at any country or region.
While the Chinese military often conducts missions in the Gulf of Aden and the Strait of Malacca as well as the East China and South China seas, this marks the first time PLA ships have been spotted near Alaska. Prior to this, the closest PLA vessels have approached to the US mainland was to participate in the US-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, held every two years around Hawaii.
Read the full story at Want China Times