China’s new aircraft carrier to be based near South China Sea, as tensions with Washington rise
Base of warship – tipped to be named the Shandong – will enhance nation’s military capability in disputed waters where Beijing is building up artificial islands
China’s first home-made aircraft carrier is likely to be based somewhere near the South China Sea to handle “complicated situations”, mainland media has reported.
Beijing has yet to officially announce a home for China’s second aircraft carrier.
The Liaoning, a refurbished Soviet vessel, is based in Qingdao, a port in the north close to Japan and South Korea.
An aircraft carrier base along the southern coast would boost the nation’s military projection in the South China Sea, where China has been fortifying artificial islands, a source of tension with Washington. The military already operates the Yulin Naval Base, on Hainan Island, the headquarters of its nuclear submarine fleet.
The second aircraft carrier was expected to be named the Shandong after the province on the east coast, according to a report posted on Wednesday on Xiake Dao, a social media account affiliated with the overseas edition of People’s Daily.