China’s new aircraft carrier the Shandong could confront other nations in disputed South China Sea, state media says
- Commentary warns of face-to-face encounters related to ‘freedom of navigation’ operations, being conducted by nations including the US
- The new vessel would be used for combat according to state controlled media reports
The new warship, commissioned on Tuesday, would be used for combat, mainly for gaining control of seas claimed by China, rather than focusing only on training missions like China’s first aircraft carrier the Liaoning, the reports said.
“The main strategic focus of the Shandong will be on waters around the South China Sea,” a commentary published by a social media account affiliated with Communist Party mouthpiece People’s Daily said on Wednesday.
“Recently, military vessels and aircraft from some nations have been carrying out so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea, stirring up troubles and challenging China’s national sovereignty,” it said.
“The aircraft strike group headed by the Shandong will be deployed to the South China Sea. It is very likely that it will have face-to-face encounters with foreign military vessels.”