China Tests Anti-Ship Missile As Japan Launches Helicopter Carrier

China has test launched Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missile in a naval exercise held in the disputed East China Sea in protest to Japan's launch of second Izumo-class helicopter destroyer.

More than 100 warships, including the Russian-built Sovremennyy-class destroyer from the PLA's North, South and East Sea fleets were mobilized for the war game, the state news agency Xinhua reported Sunday.

Besides, PLA Air Force aircraft taking part in the exercise provided the warships an occasion to coordinate with aircraft and submarines in an environment close to real combat.

Some of the hardware mobilized for the exercises are likely to be demonstrated to the public during the military parade in Beijing on Sept. 3 to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day.

Designed by Russia to sink aircraft carriers, the Sunburn supersonic anti-ship missile has an attacking range of 120 kilometers. Fuzhou, the PLA NAvy's second Sovremennyy-class destroyer, was responsible for the test-launch of the missile during the drill. China has a total of four Sovremennyy-class destroyers introduced from Russia. 

Beijing decided to launch the exercise out of anger over the launch of Japan's second Izumo-class helicopter destroyer on August 27, according to the China News Service.

Japan has launched new Izumo-class helicopter carrier, Kaga, at the Japan Marine United shipyard in Yokohama on Thursday.