Recently, the situation in the South China Sea has become tense again, and the PLA's southern theater has conducted a high-intensity actual combat exercise, and the subject of the exercise is to attack "enemy armed fishing boats."
This move has attracted widespread attention, and many people are speculating about who the PLA's target of this exercise is.
First, let's understand what an "armed fishing vessel" is.
Historically, there have been precedents for the arming of fishing vessels to take on military missions.
Such fishing boats are not only equipped with weapons, but also undertake reconnaissance and patrol tasks.
On the mainland, however, fishing vessels are mainly used for fishing and are not armed for modification.
So, who is the PLA warning when it sank the "enemy armed fishing boat" in this exercise?
Judging from the current situation, the PLA's move may be a response to the frequent provocations by some countries around the South China Sea by sending armed fishing boats.
These countries are trying to infringe on the mainland's maritime rights and interests by arming fishing boats and disrupting the normal operations of mainland fishermen.
It is understood that Vietnam has vigorously developed armed fishing boats in recent years, trying to make up for the lack of its naval strength through numerical superiority.
These armed fishing vessels often harass and rob mainland fishermen, seriously violating the mainland's maritime rights and interests.
Therefore, the PLA's sinking of the "enemy armed fishing boat" in this exercise is undoubtedly a powerful response to these provocative acts.
Through this exercise, the PLA demonstrated to the outside world its determination and strength to safeguard the country's maritime rights and interests.
Of course, we cannot rule out that this is a normal military exercise conducted by the PLA to enhance the actual combat capability of the troops and the ability to deal with unexpected situations.
But in any case, this exercise has sent a clear signal to the outside world: any attempt to infringe on the mainland's maritime rights and interests will be severely cracked down!