China has put the US on alert, after a military exercise over the disputed South China Sea saw Beijing unveil new long-range high-tech bombers as part of “high intensity combat training”.

China unveiled “new high-tech bombers” from the People’s Liberation Army during a controversial military exercise over the South China Sea. Footage from state media showed the long-range H-6G and H-6J bombers practise nighttime take-offs and simulate attacks on sea targets. The terrifying manoeuvres come just weeks after two US Navy aircraft carrier strike groups conducted drills in the disputed waters. The H-6J is a heavily upgraded variant of the bomber is capable of carrying anti-ship cruise missiles, and has a 3,500 km range. It can now only serve as an “electronic warfare aircraft”.

Collin Koh, a Research Fellow in RSIS echoed this, warning that the chances of an accidental close encounter between US and Chinese warships or planes was increasing. He said the use of the deadly H-6 bombers suggested the drill might have been “training for maritime strikes on US Navy carrier strike groups”. Mr Koh added: “The drill comes not long after the US conducted dual carrier drills, so it’s plausible it was aimed at showing resolve and the ability to threaten the movement of carriers transiting the South China Sea.”