The People's Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF), which oversees China's anti-ship missile programs, conducted its first confirmed live-fire launch into the South China Sea in July 2020, according to the Pentagon's latest annual report on China's PLA. Washington and Beijing have been sparring over South China Sea and Taiwan. Last month, US President Joe Biden said that the United States would protect Taiwan from any hostile action from China. This, however, has undeterred China, which recently flew a record number of planes over Taiwan air defence zone. In July This year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US will defend the Philippines if it comes under attack in the South China Sea and warned China.

Source: Mint November 09, 2021 14:28 UTC