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Zhenhua Lu

Liu Zhen

The Liaoning, China’s first operational aircraft carrier, has returned to its home port of Qingdao in eastern Shandong province after a months-long refit and week-long sea trial, commercial satellite images show.
China’s first home-built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, was also back at a Dalian shipyard on Monday after a week-long sea trial of its own, according to photos posted on Chinese social media.
Military analysts expected the two warships to take part in a review on April 23 in the Yellow Sea off Qingdao to mark the PLA Navy’s 70th anniversary and show off China’s growing naval power.
On Sunday, Israeli satellite image company ISI released a photo, taken on March 1, that showed the Liaoning at Qingdao naval base.


The return was “probably for operational duties after maintenance works at Dalian Shipyard”, the company said on Twitter.
In the image, a Shenyang J-15 fighter with folded wings can be seen on the carrier’s flight deck, suggesting that take-off and landing exercises were conducted after the refit.
The Liaoning – a Soviet-era Kuznetsov-class vessel acquired from Ukraine in 1998 and commissioned in 2012 after a complete overhaul – left Dalian on February 24 after nine months of maintenance and modifications, according to reports by Hong Kong and overseas media.
‘No-go zone’ in Yellow Sea for Chinese aircraft carrier sea trials
Meanwhile, photos from social media showed the Type 001A was back in port after a fifth sea test in preparation for commissioning.
In late February, Chinese military authorities declared a “no-go zone” in the Yellow Sea while the carriers went through their paces.
The Liaoning Maritime Administration said that from Sunday until March 6, there would be no entry to an area off China’s northeast coast that would be used for “military purposes”.

Beijing-based analyst Zhou Chenming said he expected the two carriers to take part in next month’s PLA Navy anniversary celebrations.
He said the carriers would “only take part in the naval review” – there would no demonstration of the Liaoning’s upgraded capacity.
Turbine blades could give China’s guided-missile destroyers an edge
Military observers said this year’s review was likely to host more warships from overseas navies than before as the PLA Navy had expanded its international operations and China had built more warships for clients.
Besides the carriers, the parade is expected to feature several new vessels including the Type 055 – Asia’s most powerful destroyer – and nuclear submarines.
In April last year, a review in the South China Sea featured 48 vessels and 76 aircraft including the Liaoning, Type 094A and 095 nuclear submarines, 052D guided-missile destroyers and J-15 jets.


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China’s aircraft carriers

Chinese aircraft carriers are back home after sea trials and ship-shape for PLA Navy anniversary review, photos show

The Liaoning is seen in port in Qingdao in an image taken by a commercial satellite company. Photo: ISI

China will build 4 nuclear aircraft carriers in drive to catch US Navy, experts say

China’s home-built Type 001A is its second aircraft carrier. Photo: Weibo

China’s first aircraft carrier may become test bed for top flight electromagnetic warplane launcher

A former navy officer said China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier might be retrofitted with a hi-tech launch system. Photo: AFP

The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is seen underway on its own power for the first time, April 8, 2017 in Newport News, Virginia. - The first-of-class ship -- the first new US aircraft carrier design in 40 years -- will spend several days conducting builder's sea trials, a comprehensive test of many of the ship's key systems and technologies. (Photo by MC2 Ridge Leoni / US Navy / AFP)

*** ONE TIME USE ONLY *** China's first domestically built aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, arrives at the shipyard of Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd. after completing the third sea trial in Dalian city, northeast China's Liaoning province, 6 November 2018. Photo Imaginechina

Sun Bo, who led project to build China’s own aircraft carrier, will face court on corruption indictment

Sun Bo, the shipyard official who was close to the project that led to the development and construction of China’s first home-grown aircraft carrier, the Type 001A, has been charged with corruption and abuse of power, state media say. Photo: Imaginechina

***ONE TIME USE ONLY, PLEASE CLEAR THE COPYRIGHTS BEFORE RE-USE - OTUO*** Sun Bo, the General Manager of China's top shipbuilding firms, China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation(CSIC). SCMP Pictures (UNDATED HANDOUT)

Chinese shipbuilder CSIC races to get aircraft carriers fully operational

Photos circulating on the internet show the Type 001A being readied for another sea trial. Photo: Sina

Online photo shows the Type 001A aircraft carrier, China's first domestically developed vessel, is ready for the fourth sea trial. The carrier is now docking in Dalian shipyard, Liaoning province. 19DEC18. Source: Sina

(FILES) This file photo taken on July 7, 2017 shows China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, arriving in Hong Kong waters, less than a week after a high-profile visit by president Xi Jinping. Chinese President Xi Jinping's pledge to build a "world-class army" by 2050 is making his neighbours nervous, but analysts say Beijing's military ambitions do not constitute a strategic threat -- for now. / AFP PHOTO / ANTHONY WALLACE / TO GO WITH AFP STORY CHINA-ARMY-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY,FOCUS BY LUDOVIC EHRET

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China

Military

Israeli satellite images show Liaoning at Qingdao after refit
China’s home-built Type 001A expected to join navy’s big show in April


Israeli satellite images show Liaoning at Qingdao after refit, while China’s home-built Type 001A is expected to join navy’s big show in April.


Chinese aircraft carriers are back home after sea trials and ship-shape for PLA Navy anniversary review, photos show

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Israeli satellite images show Liaoning at Qingdao after refit China’s home-built Type 001A expected to join navy’s big show in April

Israeli satellite images show Liaoning at Qingdao after refit

China’s home-built Type 001A expected to join navy’s big show in April