China shows off new weapons after 'cow tongue line' ruling

China's display of new weapons on television is seen as a warning to relevant countries, after the Arbitration Court rejected the "cow tongue line" claim.

China's DF-16 missile system appeared in a military parade last September. Photo: SCMP

On July 19, China Central Television (CCTV) posted images showing the forceSouthern Zone Strategy (STC) ofChina's People's Liberation Army (PLA) showcases new naval and air combat weapons systems, including missiles.DF-16, South China Morning Post reported yesterday.

This is the first time the DF-16 short-range ballistic missile has appeared on Chinese television since the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a ruling rejecting China's "nine-dash line" claim in the East Sea. This missile was launched by Beijing in a military parade last September.

The planesH-6K bombers, newly deployed to patrol shoalsScarborough Shoal in the South China Sea also appeared in this display, on the occasion of senior military officials visiting the Southern Strategic Zone.

During the visit, tGeneral Fan Changlong, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, said the country's military needs to continue air and sea patrols to "respond to emergencies" and "ensure China's border security," according toXinhua.

Previous reports have suggested that the STC is also equipped with the DF-21D, a ballistic missile dubbed the “carrier killer” with a range of more than 1,400 km.

Military experts say China's display of new weapons shows that the STC, the unit assigned to oversee the East Sea, is ready forany potential military confrontation with the US in the South China Sea.

"All the weapons announced this time on state television are short- or medium-range defensive weapons within a range of 1,500 km, as a warning China sends to the US not to challenge its limits in the East Sea," the expert said.Li Jie in Beijing, review.

Previously, Washington warned China not to have militarization activities that complicate the situation in the East Sea, to stop actions that change the status quo, to comply with the ruling of the Arbitration Court and to respect international law.

According to VNE