China Lands Cutting-edge Bombers in Paracel Islands

China deployed two state-of-the-art bombers to the Paracel Islands in the South China Sea, Reuters reported on May 28. Analysts view the move as the latest sign of China’s determination to control the vital maritime region.

‘Omnidirectional’ signal: Reuters based its report on satellite photos taken on May 18. This is the first time in five years China has landed long-range H-6 bombers on Woody Island in the Paracel chain.

The deployment may express China’s disapproval of the United States, the Philippines, France and other nations that aim to prevent a Chinese takeover of the South China Sea.

China’s long-range bombers don’t need to be on the Paracels, so it does appear to be omnidirectional signaling by Beijing—against the Philippines and against the U.S. and other things that are going on.
—Collin Koh, defense scholar at Singapore’s Rajaratnam School of International Studies

Threat: Regional officials closely monitor the H-6 bombers. Although they have a Cold War-era body design, these warplanes have been upgraded to launch land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles. Some can launch nuclear ballistic missiles. They are considered a significant threat to American bases.

New strategic sea gate: The Trumpet has watched China’s military buildup in the Paracels since 2016, when Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry said China was building a “new strategic sea gate” in the South China Sea.

• A sea gate controls access to a maritime area that can be crucial for military or economic power.
• It can allow a nation to determine which vessels will receive entry.

Whoever controls these vital sea gates controls one third of the world’s maritime commerce.
—Gerald Flurry

China’s bid to take over sea gates and shipping lanes long under British and U.S. control fulfills a specific Bible prophecy.

Learn more: Read “China Is Steering the World Toward War.”