PLA: Fleet Passes Through Ryukyu Islands for Drills in Western Pacific
The PLA Eastern Theater Command announced a fleet passed through the Ryukyu Islands for Western Pacific drills, a move following Japan's transit of the Taiwan Strait.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 19, 2026 at 20:16
- 🔍 Collected: April 19, 2026 at 20:31 (14 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 20:51 (19 min after Collected)
Central News
(CNA, Taipei, 19th) The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command stated today that it organized the Fleet 133 to pass through the Yokoto Strait in the Ryukyu Islands today, heading to the Western Pacific to conduct training exercises to "test the troops' far-sea combat capabilities," claiming this action is "not targeted at any specific country or objective."
According to the Global Times, Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, also claimed that this drill is a "routine training" organized according to the "annual plan" and complies with "relevant international laws and international practices."
On the 17th, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer "Ikazuchi" passed through the Taiwan Strait, sparking dissatisfaction from China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed that day that Japan's action severely damages the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and "seriously threatens China's sovereignty and security." China expressed resolute opposition and has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese side.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command reported on the 18th that it organized a "joint combat readiness patrol deployed by naval and air forces" in the relevant air and sea spaces of the East China Sea, claiming it to be a "normal arrangement within the annual plan." (Editors: Qiu Guojiang / Xie Yixuan) 1150419
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(CNA, Taipei, 19th) The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command stated today that it organized the Fleet 133 to pass through the Yokoto Strait in the Ryukyu Islands today, heading to the Western Pacific to conduct training exercises to "test the troops' far-sea combat capabilities," claiming this action is "not targeted at any specific country or objective."
According to the Global Times, Xu Chenghua, spokesperson for the PLA Eastern Theater Command, also claimed that this drill is a "routine training" organized according to the "annual plan" and complies with "relevant international laws and international practices."
On the 17th, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer "Ikazuchi" passed through the Taiwan Strait, sparking dissatisfaction from China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun claimed that day that Japan's action severely damages the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations and "seriously threatens China's sovereignty and security." China expressed resolute opposition and has lodged a strong protest with the Japanese side.
The PLA Eastern Theater Command reported on the 18th that it organized a "joint combat readiness patrol deployed by naval and air forces" in the relevant air and sea spaces of the East China Sea, claiming it to be a "normal arrangement within the annual plan." (Editors: Qiu Guojiang / Xie Yixuan) 1150419
Choose to stand with the facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.