Chinese bombers took part in a high-intensity exercise over the South China Sea, Beijing said ­yesterday, just weeks after two US aircraft carrier strike groups ­conducted drills of their own in the disputed waters. Both H-6G and H-6J bombers from the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were involved in the drills, which simulated night-time take-offs, long-range raids and attacks on sea targets, the defence ministry said.

Collin Koh, a Research Fellow at the RSIS said the chance of a close encounter between US and Chinese warships or planes was rising. “The [PLA] 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,” he said.