The Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will organize its land and air forces to conduct live-fire air defense exercises on the Chinese side of China-Myanmar border from April 17, the command said in a statement on Wednesday.

The exercise aims to test the troops' reconnaissance and early warning, three-dimensional blockade and control, warning and expulsion, and air defense strike capabilities, said the statement. 

The troops of the PLA Southern Theater Command are always ready to deal with various emergencies, and resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, border stability, and people's lives and property, according to the statement.