US troops in South Korea make rare appearance in the Yellow Sea, experts interpret the deep meaning of the PLA's rapid response.

[Global Times - Global Network Report, Reporter Guo Yuandan] On the morning of the 20th, a reporter from the Global Times learned from sources that recently, the U.S. military organized aircraft to conduct activities in the airspace directly facing China in the Yellow Sea. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) organized naval and air forces to monitor and respond effectively in accordance with laws and regulations. Military experts stated that this move by the U.S. side may be aimed at creating tension during the holiday period, while the PLA's state of readiness once again demonstrates its firm determination to defend national security.

The Global Times reporter noted two unusual aspects behind this news: first, according to a report by the Korean News Agency on the 20th, these military aircraft are from the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea, and "it is rare for the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea to conduct training near China's air defense identification zone." Second, the speed of the Chinese military's response was also very quick, with the PLA "always prepared," and the state of readiness tightening during holidays.

Military expert Song Zhongping told the Global Times reporter on the 20th that from the information from both China and South Korea, it can be seen that the area of the U.S. forces' activities is in the western waters of the Korean Peninsula, specifically the Yellow Sea, where there are air defense identification zones designated by both China and South Korea. Previously, the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea rarely conducted military activities in this area, and the targeting of this activity is also very obvious.

"The purposes of U.S. military operations in the Yellow Sea usually fall into two categories: first, close reconnaissance, attempting to monitor and grasp our military dynamics in the sea, air, and land; second, to exert strategic pressure by approaching China's territorial waters and airspace, maintaining a military deterrent posture against China," military expert Zhang Junsha told the Global Times reporter on the 20th.

Song Zhongping analyzed from a tactical perspective, saying, "The U.S. has always regarded South Korea's air defense identification zone as its own territory, and its military operations in this area aim to simulate intercepting aircraft from other countries entering this zone. However, if the U.S. military shifts from defense to offense, attempting to intrude into China's air defense identification zone, the nature of the situation changes."

Both experts believe that such activities pose a direct threat to China's maritime and aerial security. Zhang Junsha stated, "According to international practice, China usually dispatches military forces such as fighter jets and vessels to track, monitor, and warn off U.S. reconnaissance platforms to maintain national sovereignty and territorial security."

On the morning of the 20th at 10:54, the Korean News Agency's website reported, citing multiple sources from the South Korean military, that during training over the high seas of the Yellow Sea, U.S. forces stationed in South Korea had a standoff with Chinese aircraft. Reports indicated that over ten F-16 fighter jets from the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea conducted solo training on the 18th. The F-16 squadron took off from the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, maneuvering to the airspace over the high seas of the Yellow Sea, entering the area between the South Korean and Chinese air defense identification zones where the two zones do not overlap. As the U.S. forces' aircraft approached China's air defense identification zone, Chinese aircraft were also dispatched, leading to a temporary standoff, but neither side entered the other's air defense identification zone.

In response, the Chinese military quickly issued a statement clarifying the facts and outlining the PLA's response measures—monitoring and vigilance throughout the process, with a focus on acting in accordance with laws and regulations. Zhang Junsha analyzed that, according to reports from South Korean media, the U.S. military's activities in the airspace directly facing China occurred on the 18th (the second day of the Lunar New Year), and the U.S. forces stationed in South Korea deliberately chose to conduct close activities during a significant Chinese holiday, attempting to disrupt the festive atmosphere and create tension. "The PLA has demonstrated a state of readiness, both in action and in public response, showing that it is always prepared and on high alert."

He also stated, "History and reality both indicate that the more the nation celebrates, the more the military needs to build a solid security barrier; the more peaceful and stable the environment, the more soldiers need to maintain a state of readiness."

Public reports show that during major holidays, the Chinese military always takes effective measures such as enhancing readiness levels and increasing alert status to ensure a rapid and effective response to any emergencies. The WeChat public account "Ministry of National Defense Release" released a short video titled "Always Prepared" on the 17th, the first day of the Lunar New Year, indicating that the army, navy, and air force are always on standby, "waiting for a command."

"These measures are not only necessary actions to defend national sovereignty and security but also ensure that the people can celebrate the holiday safely and peacefully, while maintaining the normal order of social life," Zhang Junsha said.