Large-Scale Joint Exercise Tests Command, Missile Defense Capabilities 

The Chinese military has wrapped up one of its most ambitious exercises to date, reports the South China Morning Post. 

The 34-day joint exercise, which began on Jan. 16, brought together units from the navy, air force and rocket forces in the South China Sea and western and central Pacific region. 

The exercise did not include pre-planned scenarios and no advance notice was given to better simulate combat, said the South Sea Fleet. 

The training covered surface warfare, rescue and weapon live-firings. 

Several new warships took part in the drills, including the guided-missile destroyer Hefei, guided-missile frigate Yuncheng, landing dock Changbaishan and oiler Honghu. 

The rocket forces sent a communications team to participate in the missile defense component of the exercise, said a military source. 

Troops stationed on disputed, Chinese-held islands in the South China Sea also took part. 

The rocket forces would like to see HQ-9 anti-air missiles and anti-ship missiles permanently deployed to Woody Island, said the source. The island is the largest in the disputed Paracel chain.

The drills demonstrate China's desire to improve its naval combat capabilities and better integrate rocket forces units with the Southern Theater Command, said experts.