WEST PHILIPPINE SEA — China has landed a bomber on its man-made islands in the heavily disputed territory of the South China Sea for the first time.<br /><br />According to Chinese state media, a long-range H-6K bomber was used in landing and take off drills. <br /><br />Beijing's defense ministry did not say where the bomber landed, but added the drills included simulated strikes against sea targets. <br /><br />According to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative, using Chinese social media posts, identified the location as Woody Island. <br />The H-6K has a combat radius of almost 1,900 nautical miles (3,520 km), meaning all of Southeast Asia would be in range from Woody Island, according to the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative. <br />The South China Sea is a vital global trade route subject to overlapping claims by six countries. <br />Analysts say China will soon land bombers even farther south in the Spratly Islands, where runways and hangars have also been built on reefs.
