Chinese airforce holds first live air defence drill

China for the first time held live air defence drill involving 200 officers, an exercise aimed at preparing for real attacks on its coastal cities and high value economic targets.

The simulation, which began last Saturday, centered around an imaginary enemy launching air strikes against China's major coastal cities and high value economic targets.

It is the first time for a civil air defence drill to be conducted in a live combat manner, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Exercises include personnel evacuation, information security, emergency repair, lighting system control and traffic control.

A source with the office said such a drill, which concluded today greatly improves military preparation for civil air defence and enhances organisation during real conflicts.