The PLA Air Force said on Sunday it had conducted a drill involving long-range operations over the Western Pacific, past the Miyako Strait, to test far-offshore combat and assault capabilities.

Shen Jinke, a spokesman for the air force, said regular drills in the Western Pacific and patrols over the East China Sea air defense identification zone were aimed at protecting China's sovereignty and national security.

According to a statement on the Ministry of National Defense's website, more than 40 aircraft including H-6K bombers, Su-30 fighters and aerial tankers of the People's Liberation Army completed exercises such as assaults on sea-surface targets and in-air refueling. The fleet also conducted a routine patrol in the East China Sea air defense identification zone, established in November 2013.